NR Police sponsor community game

According to organizing officer Drew DeRaad, more than 40 children and a few adults have signed up for a game of “hide-and-seek” set for 7 p.m. the evening of Thursday, Oct. 30 in New Richland. He explains participants will meet at city hall, where they will hear the rules of the game, including that hiding spaces must be located only in specified public areas.

 

After a designated wait time, participating officers, including interested volunteers from a number of other area agencies, will go searching, using only their flashlights as tools. DeRaad expects the game to last about an hour. Afterwards, participants will be given a Halloween treat bag.

 

DeRaad goes on to note that similar events have been held around the country, and that members of law enforcement are persistently looking for ways to build positive relationships with community members. He mentions area residents have also requested opportunities for interaction between law enforcement and area youth. Participants who have signed up for the evening, he shares, are from the NRHEG area, Owatonna, and Albert Lea; nearly all are youths  of varying ages with a few adults, some of whom are accompanying their own children.

 

He says both the young participants and other officers have expressed excitement as the event approaches. “We all think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” he comments. “The best part is we will be able to interact with everyone in a positive way. It will even test our abilities in finding others. We enjoy a good challenge, and we especially like the idea of a good training experience while we have fun with those involved.”