ATHENS-Athens Police have been working on an operation to target youth in Athens.
Operation Child’s Play was initiated the weekend of July 4, and on Tuesday, July 11, Chief Floyd Johnson revealed the tactical plans. Patrol officers are scouring Athens looking for unsuspecting children and teens. Officers approach them and issue a sports ball or Frisbee with the Athens Police Department logo and phone number. Officers then join the children and teens in a game.
“My goal as chief has always been to look for ways to improve communication and interaction with our community,” Johnson said. “Our department likes to think outside the box, and that is how Operation Child’s Play developed. Children learn the names of our officers, how to call police in an emergency, and that our officers are a part of this community.”
Initially, Capt. Trevor Harris submitted a grant proposal to the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission. It was one of several proposals the Youth Commissioners received, and it ranked highest in score. However, APD is a city department and the Youth Commission is a city youth program. The Youth Commissioners issued a challenge to Athens Rotary to support the program so Youth Commission grant funding from the Dekko Foundation could support non-profit groups.
Athens Rotary gave Operation Child’s Play $2,500.
“The Athens Rotary Club is pleased to have an opportunity to sponsor this program with the Athens Police Department,” said Athens Rotary President Bill Ward. “Working together in our community and around the world to promote peace and understanding through service and stewardship is the cornerstone of Rotary Clubs worldwide.”
Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self.”
“We appreciate Rotary thinking outside of the box with us so our department can continue to enhance respect and dialogue between officers and citizens of all ages,” Johnson said.
