Cops connect with kids via archery, fishing

Some of us only think of police as life-or-death crimefighters or the enforcers of traffic laws, but a statewide program aimed at keeping kids on the straight and narrow brings cops and kids together to enjoy archery, fishing and bowling while teaching youngsters that the men and women in blue are really pretty cool.

The Cops and Kids Foundation, launched in Sussex by retired Pewaukee Police Officer Bob Kraemer in 2010, has spread its programs throughout the state and now comes to the Clintonville area.

Children ages 7 to 17 in Clintonville and the surrounding area can now sign up for the Oct. 12 Badges and Bullseyes program, which will teach the basics of archery to kids at the Clintonville Bow Hunters club grounds, N11517 Boy Scout Lane, Clintonville.

Many Wisconsin police departments have embraced the Cops and Kids Foundation, which has the basic philosophy of “doing things to keep kids occupied when they are not in school,” Kraemer explained.

The program started in the Pewaukee and Milwaukee areas, but has expanded to include Marathon, Merrill, Wausau and others. Although initially aimed at inner-city kids, the expansion now includes kids from all social and economic levels.

Cops and Kids has three major activities: archery (called Badges and Bullseyes), fishing (called Cops and Bobbers) and bowling (called Gutter Busters). There’s also a mentoring program, where some of the volunteer officers eventually become overseers for some kids to keep them on the straight and narrow path.

Law enforcement agencies contact Kraemer’s nonprofit organization, then apply for grants that help cover the initial equipment costs, including archery and fishing gear. The grants cover the program costs for three years, at which point the department either returns the gear or continues it through community donations or other funding.

Clintonville Police Department Patrolman Joe LeBreck decided to try the program as a community outreach effort to kids. LeBreck previously spent four years on the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department and 10 years at the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. At the latter, he was a full-time community policing and crime prevention officer, and that expertise carries over to his work on the Clintonville force.

“I want to leave something behind when I’m all done,” LeBreck said.

The city of Clintonville has embraced the idea, creating a community policing fund and a K-9 Fund to allow fundraising for both. LeBreck and the community organized an Aug. 4 golf outing that raised $8,000 for the two funds. Donations are always welcome and can be made at the police station.

Community policing can be as simple as making friendly contacts with kids. This summer, Clintonville police handed out freezer pops to kids, walking through back yards and parks to distribute the treats, LeBreck said.

The area’s first Cops and Kids Foundation program occurred May 4, when 24 kids enjoyed fishing on Pigeon Lake through the Cops and Bobbers program. LeBreck said the program’s donated fishing poles, life jackets and other gear combined with community donations to give every participant a T-shirt and lunch, plus some other goodies. The Pigeon Lake Foundation provided pontoon boats for the kids to ride for better fishing.

“You take them on a pontoon boat, and they think they are on a yacht,” Kraemer said.

Next up is the Oct. 12 Badges and Bullseyes program, which aims to introduce kids ages 7 to 17 to archery.

LeBreck said the participants will meet at the Clintonville Police Station at 9:45 a.m. for rides to the Clintonville Bow Hunters club. Families can pick up their kids at 2 p.m. at the station.

As all Cops and Kids Foundation programs, there is no cost for participants. Lunch is provided.

The eight donated Wisconsin-made Mathews compound bows are fully adjustable for a variety of kid sizes for a proper fit. LeBreck said they will use a drop net to catch the arrows to help reduce the number of lost arrows.

Clintonville-area kids wanting to register can watch for flyers or email LeBreck at jlebreck@clintonvillewi.gov. A liability waiver is required.

A Gutter Busters bowling program is slated for Dec. 28 at Memory Lanes Bar and Grill in Clintonville. A curling event is being planned for next winter, LeBreck noted.

Kraemer said his foundation takes advantage of the NASP, National Archery in the Schools Program, to get a discounted price on archery gear.

LeBreck noted that the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, based in Clintonville, has a bow loaner program for youth who may not be able to afford a bow of their own.

Some officers participating in Cops and Kids Foundation programs wear their uniforms (some departments require it), while others dress down in comfortable clothes, but typically wear their badges to remind kids that the men and women in blue definitely have a fun side, Kraemer said.

Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com