Annual school holiday run at Whangaparaoa Police Station

There were “too many smiles to count” at Whangaparaoa’s wildly successful annual school holiday run.

The event sees painted rocks hidden across the peninsula for children to find. When they find one, they can take it into the Whangaparaoa Police Station and receive a prize pack centered around a type of prevention, be it road safety, bullying, internet safety or bike safety. “The concept allows for an opportunity for families to visit their local police station, and for children to have a positive experience with Police where they can interact and try on uniform and see the Police vehicle,” says station Support Officer, Charlotte Jones, who paints all the rocks. Hundreds flocked to the station with their colourful finds, with some families travelling from as far as Taupaki, Wellsford and even St Helliers. “Some of the kids participating have had a negative experience with Police through family harm or other trauma,” says Charlotte. “This event allows Police to build trust with the kids which has a cascading effect with their families.” Area Commander Mark Fergus says the local kids and community love the opportunity to interact in such an interesting way with Police. “It’s all about building positive connections with young people, engaging with Police in a meaningful, fun way and is wildly successful, for very little cost.” Senior School Community Constable Bryan Ward says the event generated “too many smiles to count”. “An amazing community day again on the Hibiscus Coast,” he says. “Best of all many of the kids we see at the day are kids that we speak to and see at our local schools/kindergartens. “From holding Indy (the police station dog), to sitting in the front seat of a police car or wearing a police vest, no kids’ (or adults’) question goes unanswered and it takes a lot of the ‘mystery’ out of the local police station/staff for the community. “We often have the kids popping into the station and saying hi or writing us thank you letters and pictures after the event. The day has become a highly anticipated regular school holiday feature.”

By Charlotte Jones

Station Support Officer, Whangaparaoa Police Station