Charlie Breitrose
One of the kids who played in the Cops and Kids Dodgeball event hurls a ball in front of off-duy Watertown Police Officer Mike Comick.
Even though he works nights, Watertown Police officer Mike Comick jumped at the chance to have some fun and play some dodgeball with some local kids last week.
Thursday evening, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club hosted a Cops and Kids dodgeball game, followed by a jump into the club’s pool and some pizza for dinner.
Comick said he participate in Cops and Kids when he was growing up in Watertown, paying basketball and floor hockey with them.
“It really humanizes police,” Comick said. “We are seen as persons, not just a man in uniform.”
Another officer, Kevin McManus, got into the action himself and played some dodgeball with the 40 or so children who showed up for the free event.
Charlie Breitrose
Officer Kevin McManus joined in the action of the Cops & Kids Dodgeball game at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club.
Renee Gaudette, the executive director of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, said she is happy to let them use the club facilities. The kids learn some valuable lessons, while having some fun.
“If they have an awareness of the police in their community, it only leads them to be more respectful to them,” Gaudette said. “The will not fear police but see them as someone who keeps them safe.”
Charlie Breitrose
Around 40 children showed up for the Cops and Kids Dodgeball game at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Afterward they went swimming and had some pizza.
Officer Kerry Kelley, who works as the School Resource Officer at Watertown High School during the school year, put together the dodgeball game to bring out kids. She ran a regular game last summer, which was very successful, but this year she has been put on patrol over the summer so she cannot run dodgeball as often.
By doing this, she is well known among the students at the event.
“Most of the kids know exactly who I am,” Kelley said. “I like that. They know there is someone they can go to.”
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown Police Officer Kerry Kelley watched over the Cops and Kids Dodgeball game Thursday night. She likes to be known by the children in town so they have someone to go to if they need help.