Carson City Sheriff's Office Cops and Kids open house Saturday celebrates 12th year

Editor's Note: Kiwanis Club of Carson City was accidentally omitted from the list of donors and contributors. We apologize for the error.
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The 12th annual Carson City Sheriff's Office "Cops and Kids" Open House, billed as the "Safest Street Party in Carson City," will be this Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the sheriff's office, 911 East Musser Street.

The free community event features, activities, ID kits for children, food, music, games and more. On hand will be the sheriff's office K9 dogs, motorcycle patrol unit, Special Enforcement Team, stellar squad, a new SWAT unit, representatives from DARE, and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Marking the 10th year in giving big to the event are Carson City Grocery Outlet owners Dave and Lynne Cox, who have provided food and refreshments, donating thousands of hot dogs, buns, soft drink, bottled water and ice over the years.

“They’ve been absolutely phenomenal supporters of this program. I’ll walk in the door and before I ask, they’ll say: 'What do you need,'” said Carson City DARE officer and event organizer Lisa Davis. “They give without question and are always asking if we have enough. I love ‘em for it.”

For Lynne Cox, she said the DARE program has “been to close to our hearts” for years. “We’ve lost far too many people in our community to drugs and alcohol. The Cops and Kids program and DARE are important to our community. They go hand in hand in educating our children at an early age about the police, what they do and how they are protecting them. The DARE program gets into prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, getting to the kids before they have problems with it.”

This year Grocery Outlet is donating 1,400 hot dogs and hot dog buns, 800 bottles of water and 700 sodas for the event. Grocery Outlet also makes large refreshment donations at Carson City's annual Take Back the Night event held later in summer at Mills Park.

The Cops and Kids community event is unique because it provides a place where parents and children can get together and meet with sheriff’s deputies, dispatchers and NHP officers, the K9 unit, Motor Patrol and connecting through a series of games, getting children finger printed and public safety demonstrations.

Children are encouraged to stop by the Carson City Empty Bowls Project, which kicks off its 2015 bowl making season Saturday at Cops and Kids. Children can help make clay bowls that will be used in a fundraiser in December aimed at providing food for the FISH program, which helps feed the hungry in the Carson City community.

Local agencies including the Kiwanis, Partnership Carson City, Advocates to End Domestic Violence, Boys and Girls Club of Northern Nevada, CASA, The Children’s Museum, Empty Bowls, Food for Thought, and more will be on hand with games and hands-on activities. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to find out about summer youth activities available in Carson City.

Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Open House began as an effort to give back to the community. It is partially funded by Justice Assistance Grant, but the event has grown beyond grant capability.

Local businesses partner with Carson City Sheriff’s Office defray costs. Grocery Outlet donates hot dogs, buns and beverages. Kemp’s Fun Jumpers provides the bounce house. Northern Nevada Coin, Manny’s One Stop Shop Automotive Repair, Liz’s Biz, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, American Family Insurance and Jamba Juice all donate or provide services to help minimize the cost.