Arnold Police officers are helping people stay cool at the Arnold City Park this summer.
Officers will hand out free popsicles from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday throughout June and July. The officers will be near the playground in the park, 2400 Bradley Beach Road, off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River.
“Anyone is welcome to come; this is not just for the Arnold community. Anyone visiting the park can meet with us, look through a police car and enjoy a popsicle,” said Officer Kevin Wilson, the Arnold Police Officers Association (APOA) president and school resource officer at Fox High School.”
He said the officers will start out with a supply of about 250 popsicles on each of the days they’re handed out, but an officer can return to the Police Station to get more if needed.
“We stocked the freezers at the station,” he added.
Wilson, along with officers Josh Lambrich, Josh Crites and Mike Prusinowski and Arnold Police Explorer member Brayden Belding, handed out popsicles on June 11, the first day of the program. The last day officers will hand out popsicles will be July 30.
Wilson said the Police Department handed out more than 150 popsicles on June 11.
“We did very well,” he said. “We found out that blue is the favorite color (for popsicles). It was nice seeing everyone smiling and sitting in the shade while enjoying a popsicle.”
Wilson said the officers at the park are on duty, and if they are needed, they will respond to calls.
“Chief (Brian Carroll) approved us to do this on duty,” he said. “The officers are mostly SROs, and this allows us to be interactive with the kids throughout summer. If a call comes out, we will respond.
“We also want to make sure people who come out to the park are enjoying it and having a safe experience. It is a nice, visible extra patrol for our department.”
Crites and Prusinowski also are school resource officers for the Fox C-6 School District, with Crites assigned to Rockport Heights and Sherwood elementary schools and Prusinowski assigned to Fox elementary and middle schools.
Wilson said the APOA is paying for the popsicles.
He said the organization plans to spend about $1,000 for the summer event, but the organization will increase the budget if there is enough demand.
“We (Arnold Police) have had interest in expanding our community outreach through free-engagement programs in the city,” Wilson said. “This is an idea we came up with late last year. We want to be more visible and involved in the community.”
Wilson said the APOA plans to hold more free community events, especially during the holiday season starting in November. The organization funds the community outreach programs with money raised at its annual car show held during Arnold Days in September and the Back the Blue Trivia Night in March.
Wilson said he feels it is important for Arnold Police officers to meet with the public.
“It shows the community that we care and are involved,” he said. “We want to help the community. Being at the park and seeing everyone have a great time and enjoying this wonderful playground that the city recently put up, it is great to see.”