Monterey Police Walk Burks Elementary Students To School In Community Event

The Monterey Police Department joined Burks Elementary School students on their walk to school Thursday.

Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph said he believes working with the children at a young age allows them to see the officers as people and friends. Randolph said hosting this event allows the children to trust the officers more where they feel comfortable talking to them.

“The families have done a good job with them, and we enjoy walking with them and the questions they ask and just getting to communicate with them instead of people realizing that as a police officer your job is not just about writing tickets or arresting people,” Randolph said. “It’s about have relationships with families and their children.”

Families met the officers at the Depot Museum and walked the trail to the school. Randolph said the officers enjoy the change of pace while working with the children.

Randolph said the children ask great questions and always have a lot of fun walking the trail to school. Randolph said hosting events like these is a great way to form strong community relationships.

Randolph said officers will continue hosting this event annually, while also hosting other events. They will host fishing with a cop during the Summer for children, and coffee with the cops for the senior citizens at the nursing home.

He said the children only get to walk with the officers once a year, so they always want to make sure the weather is clear.