Cops & Kids Celebration
■ The Grinch watches children making crafts Thursday during the 27th annual Texarkana, Ark., Cops & Kids program at the Four States Fairgrounds Fine Arts Center.
The rainy weather did nothing to dampen the Christmas cheer experienced by 75 children riding in 22 Texarkana, Ark. police to the Four States Fairgrounds Thursday evening.
With sirens blaring and bar lights flashing, children took delight in celebrating at the 27th annual Texarkana, Ark., Cops & Kids program.
Once inside the dry and warm Four States Fairgrounds Fine Arts Center, the youngsters enjoyed popcorn, cotton candy, slush drinks and video games, along with fellowship with police officers. All of this took place while the parents took in steak, green beans and potatoes.
As in years past, both the city and the Texarkana, Ark. Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, along with the Pink Behind the Thin Blue Line law enforcement support organization secured the Fine Arts Center for this yearly holiday gathering, said Chastity Russell the organization’s president.
“Our organization has about 50 members altogether and there are about 15 of them here tonight,” she said. “The children here tonight (which ranged in age from 2 to 18) are from the Baptist Children’s Home as from the Water Springs Ranch.”
Cliff Clapp, president of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, said he is glad the Fine Arts Center as been available for the Cops & Kids program for the last three years.
“Each year our group grows a little bit more, so we are thankful for the space,” he said. “We set out each year to reach out to area agencies for toys, candy, popcorn and video games.”
Arkansas-side police public information officer Kristi Bennett said Chief Bob Harrison initially implemented the Cops & Kids program in 1991 to forge a friendlier interaction between the community’s police, children and adults.
Clapp said the program has paid off well for the last 27 years and will continue to do so.
“I love seeing the smiles on all the kids’ faces,” he said. “Those smiles spread the Christmas cheer and make this all worthwhile.”