MAYOR
from the
The ice cream man wears blue BY MAYOR KENT GUINN
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“The idea is to use that truck as a way to ‘break the ice,’ so to speak, and get them engaged with our police officers.” —OPD chief Mike Balken
ngaging with the community in a positive way is just as important for a police force as is investigating crimes and answering calls of distress. In Ocala, we’re fortunate that our police department constantly has an eye on community engagement and is always looking for creative ways to bridge whatever gap exists between it and its citizens. These days, not a lot of people want to be cops as they have been unjustifiably maligned in this country for the sins of a small fraction. It’s that ill perception that can lead to mistrust and ire where it does not belong. With this in mind, the Ocala Police Department is instituting a new program that I believe will help re-enforce the trust and cohesion that already exists between citizens and law enforcement in our community. Harkening back to the good ol’ days, children will soon be hearing the familiar music of the ice cream truck as it rolls into the neighborhood, but this truck is being operated by the OPD and treats will be free, served up by uniformed personnel. It’s part of an outreach program where the cops come to the kids instead of vice versa. “A lot of our outreach programs are successful,” said OPD chief Mike Balken, “but it always entails parents or guardians bringing the youth to us, which limits our ability to get to those kids who are under-served.” With the help of private donations, the OPD was able to purchase an ice cream truck, equip it with the necessary accoutrements and wrap it in fun, graphic design. Because of the generosity of local businesses and concerned citizens, the program is not taking a cent of taxpayer money. What an ingenious concept – what child does not like free ice cream? Kids will be able to get their ice cream and positively engage with a member of the force. “The idea is to use that truck as a way to ‘break the ice,’ so to speak, and get them engaged with our police officers,” Balken said. “We want to send a positive message that police are their friends – we want you running toward us and not away from us when times are bad.” The trucks will likely have more than just the cold, sweet treats on board – expect to see books there, too. “We know that literacy rates have a direct correlation with incarceration rates,” Balken said. “We’re always looking for ways to expand on our reading program as well.” The truck is expecting to be making its rounds through various neighborhoods soon, several days per week. In the summer, you can expect the truck to be out more often. Although the truck is paid for, donations are still being counted on to fill the final element – the ice cream itself. “We’re looking not only for monetary donations, but ice cream as well,” said Balken, who would love to see some of the nostalgic flavors such as ice cream sandwiches and push-ups on the menu. “We want to try and get as many flavors on the truck to appeal to as many as we can.” Balken says that soon, there will be a means to make donations directly to this program online, so stay tuned and keep an ear out for that familiar music coming down the street.
Mayor Kent Guinn 14
| SEP 2021 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM
