JACKSON POLICE TO ADD FIVE TO 'COP CARDS'

According to officer Darryl Sievers, "cop cards" are more valuable than Pokemon cards, any day.

Sievers said, "Pokemon cards cost you money; you collect enough of ours and you'll even get a prize!" What that means is, if you collect them all and get your certificate from the Jackson Police Department, you can receive a free admission to Jurrocks Park in Cape Girardeau, a free kid's meal at Tractor's, a free T-shirt at Semo Specialties & Sports and $5 off your next purchase at Nearly Perfect Shoes.

There will be five new cop cards released by mid-August. The new cards will represent officers Jeff Woodard, Jessie Chism, Ryan Doolie, Jackie Wilson and Jack Piepenbrok. These are all new officers.

The Community Policing Program, as it's called, has been in existence for about 18 months.

Sievers said, "This is the golden opportunity for policemen to be perceived in a good light. Most kids' perceptions come from TV or their parents' ideas."

One of the positive effects, said Sievers, is that "children who'd normally stand 20 to 30 feet away, no longer shy away." The cop cards give police officers approachability and a reason to break the ice between cops and kids.

Sievers said he "plagiarized the idea." Away on Christmas vacation in Santa Fe, N.M., he saw an officer's business card set up like a playing card and thought it would be a great idea to implement in the Jackson community. He presented the idea to police chief Marvin Sides, and from there the cards became a reality.

The support through donations of local clubs, businesses and organizations has gone far in keeping the project going. At this time, additional support would be helpful.

Contact Sievers at 243-3151, if you wish to donate to the Community Policing Program.