NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — More than 40 Brayton Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade Summer Science Camp students swarmed the softball diamond Tuesday to face off against the Police Department in the Cops vs Kids Kick Ball game.
"The kids love it," Lt. Jason Wood said. "They really get into it."
Wood, who organized the game with retired teacher James Holmes at Brayton Field, said the game was an extension of the Running With the Law program in which students jogged with a convoy of police officers.
"We did a kickball game with the Running With the Law kids here before ... and we thought it would be fun to play with the summer camp kids and have a picnic after."
Team sizes weren't regulation and even with nearly 10 officers on the field, the police needed the help of summer camp aides to fill out their team to compete against the horde of schoolchildren.
Wood said both off- and on-duty police joined in on the game.
"I'm very proud of all of them and I sent out an email and they pulled together," he said. "I don't have to bend their arms to get them down here. We have a young department so we are hitting the iron when it is hot."
Wood said the officers were also involved throughout the summer program taught a few courses.
Holmes said the North Adams Police Department's efforts go beyond the classroom.
"The North Adams Police Department have been on board 1 million percent and it's not only here but the guys are out there playing basketball with kids when they are on patrol and stuff like that," Holmes said. "I think it is not only good for the kids to see but the police officers as well."
Wood said it is important for the department to build relationships with the city's youth.
"We want to make connections with these kids when they are younger and I think it goes a long way and helps us build a trusting bond with them," he said. "They are not afraid to approach us if something's wrong and overall it is nice to have a positive interaction."
"It makes you feel good when they remember you. It is nice to be remembered in a good way."
Although the score was not kept, the kids had a clear advantage when a call came over the police scanner and cleared out the cops' outfield.
Also, the kids had no shame in cheating and swiftly formed a blockade around home plate whenever officers rounded third base.
All in all, it ended well and the police joined the campers in the school cafeteria for a picnic after the game.
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