By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
For Town of Waterford Police Chief Tom Ditscheit, taking the time to bowl and fish and shoot arrows with youngsters is a way into the minds of those he works with.
“We’re trying to get the kids to understand that the police are their friends,” Ditscheit said. “In the end, if the kids feel that way, they don’t want to disappoint you.”
And if the kids find a way to stay out of trouble growing up, it justifies the efforts being put forth by the Cop and Kids Foundation – a non-profit organization started by two police officers in Pewaukee before that department was disbanded.
Cops and Kids has trademarked the program’s “Cops and Bobbers,” “Gutter Busters” and “Badges and Bull’s-eyes” – the last of which the Town of Waterford chief put into practice last months. The idea, according to the foundation’s website, is to create a stronger link between police and the people they serve.
“Citizens and the police have the same goals…we both want safe neighborhoods and a better place to live,” Kraemer wrote on the website. “During my nine years as a community service officer, I felt compelled to start programs that would bring citizens and the police together. I learned the best way to change the public’s perspective is to start with the children, thus I created several community service programs aimed at kids.”
The youngsters involved come from around western Racine County, including Burlington, Waterford and Kansasville/Dover.
For years, Ditscheit and the Town of Waterford Police have offered the bowling and fishing events – the former in the winter and the latter during the summer. On March 29, the department offered the “Badges and Bull’s-eyes” for the first time. Held at Buck Trail Archers in Burlington, 10 children were involved in each session, getting a chance to shoot at various kinds of targets.
The bowling programs are held at River City Lanes in Waterford, most recently done on April 1. Over the summer, the Fox River and Tichigan Lake will play host to Cops and Bobbers.
“They relax as the day goes on,” Ditscheit said about the kids involved. “I give them a little introduction in the beginning as to why they’re there. I’ll usually ask them if they can tell me why they’re there.”
The joke then becomes about Mom and Dad getting some time off. With the laughter, the ice is broken, Ditscheit said. But in reality, it’s all about forming bonds with the community and hopefully cutting down on crime.
“The community’s becoming quieter every year,” Ditscheit said.
For more information on Cops and Kids, visit www.copsandkidsfoundation.org. For times and dates of upcoming Town of Waterford events – which are open to the surrounding areas – call the police station at (262) 534-2119.
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