Free Ice Cream at Cone with a Cop This Saturday in Copperas Cove

This Saturday, June 26, kids in Copperas Cove can score some free ice cream while meeting local police officers in a fun and safe environment.

Free Ice Cream? Where?!

It's happening at Waffle Cone, 508 Cove Terrace in Copperas Cove, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Kids 12 and under can stop by a enjoy a free treat.

That's Nice, But Why?

It's part of a program called Cone with a Cop. This will be the third year the Copperas Cove Police Department, Coryell County Sherrif’s Office, and the Lampasas County Sherriff’s Office have worked together to make it happen.

The idea is let local kids meet local cops in a fun and relaxed environment. It doesn't get more fun and relaxed than free ice cream on a hot summer day in Texas.

"Children frequently see us in an enforcement capacity in stressful or volatile situations and we are not afforded the opportunity to spend time with them during those encounters," said Lt. Kevin Miller with the Copperas Cove PD.

He's Got a Point

Sadly, many people, kids included, will only really interact with police in stressful and negative situations. That could be something as simple as a traffic stop or, in extreme circumstances, a traumatic situation.

Events like Cone with a Cop can help kids meet police officers in a fun setting so that they can see them in a more human light and learn that they're there to serve and protect the public.

While we adults have serious conversations about law enforcement's role in our society and changes that need to happen to keep officers and citizens alike safe, it's important that we do what we can to make sure kids aren't living in paralyzing fear of police.

Not Just Free Ice Cream

While the ice cream is a welcome treat, there'll actually be a couple of other freebies at the event that could be valuable to your family.

The first 150 kids will be eligible to receive a KIDDO Card. It's a card for kids 12 and under that lists their information (age, physical description, etc.) along with a photo. It's not designed for kids to carry around like an ID, but for parents to have on hand so police can start their search immediately if your child ever goes missing.

The Exchange Club of Copperas Cove will also be giving away Kid Military Dog Tags. Parents decide what information they'd like to include in the dog tag, and kids wear them so that they can easily give information to police or emergency responders if they're lost and too young or confused to speak for themselves.

Let's Keep It Going

This will be the third annual Cone with a Cop event, and the Copperas Cove Police Department hopes to see plenty of folks show up so they can keep the program going.

Again, it's happening this Saturday, June 26 from Noon to 3PM at Waffle Cone, 508 Cove Terrace in Copperas Cove.