There was not even standing room at the Temple Police Department’s Kiddo Card event Saturday at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 254 Green Hollow Drive.
Lynn Reichl, franchise owner, said they had not expected such a rush. Many people find it important to have a Kiddo Card made for their children, she said.
“This is just a way to give back to the community by hosting it,” she said. “We like to help families.”
Temple Police Detective Mike Sapp said the event was an opportunity to engage with the public and also a way for parents to do what they can to protect their children. Kiddo Cards are not limited to a specific age group, he said. Sometimes they are for slightly older children with special needs.
“It gives parents the opportunity to record their biographical data,” he said.
Each card contains a photo, height, weight and fingerprints.
“It’s like an ID card that parents can keep,” he said. “And we then keep it in our database. In the event of a missing child or kidnapping, it gives us a chance.”
For most adults, personal information is stored in a file, he said, but that is generally not the case for children.
The police carry out a Kiddo Card campaign at least once a month, and more often depending on the occasion. The card is free and parents receive it on site.
“It’s just a tool for parents,” he said.
There were seven officers at the event, he said, all members of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) unit.
“We do burgers with a badge, coffee with a cop and other events in the city of Temple where we can interact with the public,” he said.
Officer Martina Malone said the Kiddo Card is for the child’s safety in the event that he or she becomes separated from his or her parent or guardian.
Another way police engage with the public is through the Citizens Police Academy, which about 18 people attend on Thursday evenings from August through October. The course helps citizens understand the intricacies of police work, she said.
Graduates of the course may join a volunteer group that assists the city’s police officers in various ways, she said. Sometimes they provide meals to officers, help organize community events or pass on information.
“They volunteer their time to help,” she said.
Reichl said Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is a Florida franchise that opened its Temple location about four years ago. It has a large outdoor area and hosts free events throughout the summer, she said. There will be a free foam party on Sept. 27.
“It’s a nice place to hang out,” she said. “Bring your dog and your family – and it’s still affordable.”
