The river was smooth at Chickahominy Riverfront Park Thursday morning, only breaking as fish jumped to the surface of the water. In the distance, several motorboats buzzed along under clear blue skies.
Around 10 a.m., two honks and a police siren echoed down the river, followed by children’s laughter. Minutes later, a James City County Police patrol boat came roaring down the river, leaving a large wake behind it.
James City County Police were busy all last week, but not for the usual reasons: The police department was running Community Outreach Program (COPS) Camp, a summer camp for middle schoolers run by police officers.
“So often, what’s portrayed on TV isn’t accurate,” police spokeswoman Stephanie Williams said. “It’s important to establish a relationship with these kids at a young age to show we’re their friends and here to help.”
The camp’s goal is to build rapport between young adults and police and teach children about safety and officers’ daily duties, Sgt. Brian Staton said. Staton also does marine-patrol operations with the county.
COPS Camp lasted from July 17-21 and included activities such as bowling at Williamsburg Lanes, go-karting, a day at Go Ape in Freedom Park and fishing at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Each day also included lessons at the James City County Law Enforcement Center.
“My favorite part is hanging with my friends, seeing all the cool parts of the boat, and seeing parts of the Chickahominy,” 12-year-old Josh Brittle said. Brittle attended the camp last year as well.
A second camp will be held Aug. 14-18, Williams said. This year’s camps filled up quickly, she said. The day camp costs $125 per student, but the fee is on a sliding scale to accommodate those in need.
The police department partners with Parks and Recreation for the camp, which has been offered since 2013.
On Thursday, Staton captained the police boat as it took the middle schoolers out on the Chickahominy River four campers at a time. With each group of kids, Staton took about ten minutes to explain how different parts of the boat worked and what the campers must do to stay safe while on the water.
“The theme of the whole thing is to build rapport with the kids,” Staton said. “Going out on the boat isn’t the only thing we’re doing with them, we have covered all kinds of topics this week.”
Kelsea Springsteen, 10, attended the camp for the first time this year. Her father is a James City County police officer, so she is used to being around law enforcement, she said.
Springsteen said she enjoyed being on the police boat when the sirens turned on.
The children also had a chance to fish and catch crabs from a dock, supervised by James City County’s chief park ranger, Rob Insley. Children were able to see the police boat drive by as they fished from the dock.
Insley said he discussed fishing safety “right off the bat” with the middle schoolers, ensuring no one would get hooked. A few children caught crabs, bluegill and perch.
At noon, the campers gathered at the park’s pavilion for a cookout lunch. Master Police Officer Prasit Niranont, a school-resource officer at Warhill High School, cooked hot dogs and hamburgers on a grill.
“A lot of young kids are afraid of police officers,” Niranont said. “We want them to grow up and understand we’re not bad people and we’re here to help. On the first day they were pretty quiet, but later on in that first day they got comfortable and started to talk with us.”
“That’s what we want,” he added.
Fearing may be reached at 207-975-5459.
