Since September the department’s POPS (Problem Oriented Policing Service) unit has increased its presence around the Wayman Manor Apartments.
Cpl. Chuck Borgeson led the first community meeting at Friendship House in February to explain how coming together can help the area and rid it of crime.
He told residents, “every member of this unit will take a part of this neighborhood and make it their own. When we are finished with this project, your quality of life will be better.”
Borgeson kept his word. The festival is the first of promised planned activities.
Several events are planned, including a bike rodeo, 3-on-3 basketball and a talent show.
The POPS unit is focusing its efforts in the area south of East Avenue H, and east of the railroad tracks, Sgt. Brad Hunt, Temple Police Department public information officer, said in a press release.
The unit is partnering with residents, Hunt said.
Responses to the news were mixed. Some teens in the area aren’t excited about hanging out with local cops. Others look forward to the event.
Terri Green lives in the Wayman Manor Apartments and is hoping her son will have a change of heart and join in the activities.
“It’ll be good for them to get out of the house and do something,” Green said. “They need to learn to be involved in things that are organized for them. They need to be thankful.”
Green said that she thinks the teenagers will join in once they see others having fun.
“They all stand around here and look and then, when someone starts throwing a ball, they all get involved,” she said.
The goal of the festival is to provide youth in the neighborhood with a safe, fun place to enjoy activities during their time off from school, and to get to know the POPS officers, Hunt said.
Green said getting to know officers is good and she is grateful that the department is doing something to help the area.
“It’s hard times around here,” she said. Green said she hopes by getting the teenagers involved they will have something to keep them occupied and out of trouble during spring break.
Members of the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association will also help with the events, Hunt said.
All events will be on the Meredith-Dunbar Elementary School campus, 1717 E. Avenue J.
Anyone else interested in volunteering can contact the POPS Unit at 254-298-5912.
