Hollywood often portrays cops as the menacing bad guys who go to any length to get their man, regardless of who gets hurt in the process. On both the big and small screens, police officers are tough guys starting fights and shoot-outs.
If you’re a kid watching those movies and TV shows — and sadly there’s a lot of young eyes taking it all in — cops are scary.
But in real life, cops are there to help people. Yes, they arrest the bad guys and carry guns, but they can most often be seen helping people. It’s this portrayal of cops that most kids don’t get to see.
“A lot of the kids, the only time they see the police is
on TV.”
That’s what Logansport Police Officer Danny Farris told us earlier this week. That’s also what he’s working to change through his participation in Police And Teachers Helping Students, or PATHS, program.
Farris is now working full time in Logansport elementary schools to build positive relationships between the police and elementary students, while also teaching safety tips and lessons.
He reads to students, eats lunch with them, hangs out in gym class, and just generally finds himself where the kids are gathered. For those kids with the Hollywood version of cops in their minds, it’s quite the change of perspective.
No longer are cops scary. Cops are now Danny, the cool guy who reads funny stories to the class.
Getting children to trust police officers is just a small part of what the program will accomplish.
PATHS opens a valuable door in the conversation about Internet safety. Kids are online more than we’d likely care to admit. The Internet is a place rich in resources for students, but it’s also full of hidden dangers. Having an officer in the schools befriending these students will go a long way in getting the message of that danger through to them.
Farris tells us he will introduce lesson plans on cyber-bullying and computer safety. And when he does, we’re hopeful the kids will listen to what their new friend has to say.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: An opportunity to reach children
- Opinion
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- THORNS & ROSES: Week of May 16
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WOLFSIE: Writing on the walls
Sometimes when I am trying to think of an idea for my column, I just stare at the wall. That’s not a bad thing, because on the wall in my home office is a collection of special pieces of memorabi-lia that inspire me to write, reminding me of the talented people I have had the privilege to meet.
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HAYDEN: From good to great in education not the way
On the campaign trail last year and early into his administration, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said repeatedly that his goal as governor would be to take Indiana from “good to great.”
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THEIR VIEW: Big Brother looms large in D.C.
The federal government, working under the cloak of secrecy, has been having a heyday at the expense of all Americans.
First we learn the IRS has been targeting conservatives — applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups were wrongly singled out for extra scrutiny. -
KITCHELL: Waste-to-energy a big waste of time
Had all of Logansport attended the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists Awards ceremony last month in Indianapolis, we all would have learned that the No. 1 editorial written in the state in the past year was about a subject that sounds familiar to Logansport residents.
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THEIR VIEW: Keep teens safe on the roadways
Indiana was able to achieve welcome decreases in teen-driving deaths after adopting graduated driver’s license laws. But it appears some of the benefits of easing teen drivers more slowly into the responsibilities associated with driving are leveling off.
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MARCUS: Where to put your money
Snail Smith’s real name is Stanley, but his contorted windup and slow pitches gave him the nickname, Snail, during his short baseball career.
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THEIR VIEW: Indiana loses a respected leader
At a time when our nation was deeply divided by war, social upheaval and political corruption, Otis R. “Doc” Bowen brought stability to Indiana in his eight years as governor largely through the strength of his personal integrity. He was respected, revered even, not only by fellow Republicans but also by independents and Democrats for his deep commitment to the state and its people.
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OUR VIEW: Mothers the greatest gift of all
Our mothers help guide us through the world around us, helping us sidestep disaster if at all possible. She holds our hand as we become the person we were meant to be. She knew us from the beginning, and if she had it her way, she’d know us to the very end.
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PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor tells residents of positive change
When the residents of Logansport elected me as their new mayor in November 2011, it was truly an honor.
Our city was battling back from a devastating loss of 1,500 jobs in five years, a recession that wasn’t letting up on the household income of our residents, a divided fire protection commitment in our county and an overall sense of loss in our community. - More Opinion Headlines
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