Fishing With Cops Brings Kids And Communities Together

Go fish.

It’s the name of a popular card game, but it’s also what a number of Brampton kids did Saturday as part of an annual fishing expedition involving area children and Peel Regional Police officers.

Oh, and it’s extremely popular and a whole lot of fun.

“I think it’s really cool,” said a 10-year-old successful participant named Mina.

“I really only caught big fish like one or two years ago.”

And speaking of catching, the event seems to be catching on and growing every year, with the 2006 edition drawing literally hundreds of children out to fish alongside some of those that protect and serve. Though on the shores of Brampton’s Heart Lake Conservation Area Saturday, the latter seemed slightly more important.

“I don’t like cutting the worms in half,” said Mina as Police Constable Rick Garcia took on the task for her.

“It’s disgusting and it gets your fingers dirty.”

Still, for the officers that take part, the event is about more than just helping community relations with police and getting their fingers dirty for kids that don’t want to.

It is, as it should be, about getting the children outside and keeping them active.

“It gives the kids an opportunity to see us in a different light, and hopefully keep them off the streets and from getting in trouble,” said Constable Rick MacDonald.

An honourable initiative to be sure, and one that’s becoming more and more common throughout the province.

Thanks to the popularity of such events, the Police Association of Ontario has several more planned for the coming weeks and months.

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