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Books And Badges

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: January 14, 2009

Some of Pasco County's finest let down their guard Jan. 8 during the Books and Badges program at Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O' Lakes.

Although a reading event, the program is designed to help students see a different side of law enforcement, deputies say.

The program brings members of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office into schools to read to children as well as answer any questions they might have. Principal Kara McComeskey said the event will have a great impact on her students.

"We always like to bring in positive role models for the children," McComeskey said. "This is such a great way to bring officers into the school and it is great because the kids get so excited just to see them. We want to do this even bigger next year with more officers."

Cpl. Toni Roach, Lake Myrtle's school resource officer, helped organize the event because she thinks the program will help students stay out of trouble later in life.

"This reading program is great because it will help to encourage the youth to read, which is the foundation of all learning," Roach said. "There are studies showing an inverse relationship between education and crime. The more educated a person is the less likely they are to commit a crime."

Lt. Brian Prescott said he wanted to first stress to children the importance of reading before he read "Sally Goes To The Beach" to them.

"It is a great way for us to connect with the children and to help build bonds," Prescott said. "It will also help to break down some of the myths they have about law enforcement. They see us as people who put handcuffs on people and then take them away, but we want them to know we are here to help them."

A mix of detectives, deputies and even some detention deputies volunteered to read to the kindergarten through first-graders. Deputy Ella Peabody said she enjoyed getting to spend time with the children.

"I normally work in booking at the jail," Peabody said. "I deal with the juveniles when they get arrested so today is a nice break because I am meeting the kids I don't normally get to see. I hope this will let them see us in a good light. We don't want them to fear us."

In Nikki Hackett's first grade class, students were thrilled to meet Detective Alan Wilkett. Students in Hackett's class learned about what a badge means, about the codes officers use and about the other tools of the trade. Phillip Davis, 7, said he loved having Wilkett come to his classroom.

"I like him and I like the book he reads," Davis said. "I learned that he is very important to people and that if people are hurt they need somebody to help them. I can't wait to see him again."

The Books and Badges program is a continuing effort of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Deputies expect to visit seven more schools this year and expand the program during the 2009-10 school year.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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