Cards feature ETPD officers or civilian employees as a fun way to encourage children to interact with their local police department.
A popular community-policing program returns as officers and civilian employees with the Evesham Township Police Department begin carrying the new 2017 series of ETPD trading cards.
According to department officials, the program began several years ago as a way to increase positive relations between the township’s police department and the children they serve.
Each card features an officer or civilian employee on the front, and as of Aug. 1, department members are set to once again distribute cards to any child willing to ask for a card. Children are encouraged to approach and interact with department members, either by having a brief conversation or even just shaking their hands.
As with other popular trading card series such as baseball or Pokémon cards, the department is encouraging children to collect all the cards they can from each department member and learn more about their local police department in the process.
In addition to names and photos, the cards include a favorite quote from the employee and brief descriptions of his or her experience in law enforcement.
According to the department, the first three children who collect a complete set of all 84 trading cards in the series will win special prizes.
Although prizes have yet to be determined, in past years winners have been awarded bicycles and other gifts.
“For us, it’s just about have a great program that’s really based around promoting kids to approach the police, talk to them, and get kids to see to see the officers as their friends,” Lt. Joseph Friel said.
In turn, Friel said Evesham officers can often be just as excited to distribute the cards as the children are to receive them.
“It’s just a great tool to have all around,” Friel said.
The program was once again was fully funded by the Marlton Business Association and the non-profit Evesham Police Foundation, which regularly supports programs and equipment needs outside of the department’s annual budget.
With the support of the Marlton Business Association, the backs of cards will feature the name and location of a local business sponsoring that particular card.
Department officials also give their thanks to Focal Points Photography of Marlton for its design and photography work of the trading cards.
For more information of the ETPD’s 2017 trading card series, visit the department’s page on Facebook.
