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Susquehanna Twp. police trading cards, building trust with kids

SUSQUEHANNA TWP., Pa. — The trading cards Susquehanna Township police officers are carrying around Sara Lindemuth Elementary School may not be worth as mu...

SUSQUEHANNA TWP., Pa. -- The trading cards Susquehanna Township police officers are carrying around Sara Lindemuth Elementary School may not be worth as much as a Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card, but to a group of young students, they offer much more value.

Five officers, plus police Chief Rob Martin, spent 30 minutes Tuesday morning handing out their own trading cards to students in Mrs. Shienvold's 1st grade class. As the children did school work, the policemen would stop at each desk, often times helping a student with their classwork.

Some, like Officer Christopher Croft, would ask a group of students a trivia question before handing out one of his cards.

"Who was the first President of the United States? I'll give you a hint: It starts with a 'G'," Croft says, before four students respond in unison, "George Washington!"

"You all said it at the same time!" Croft says. "I guess you'll all get cards!"

The front of each card features a picture of an officer, with biographical information on the back, including a personal message or quote. The "baseball card program", as it's called, was started by Chief Martin in 1999 as a way to start positive relationships with the township's youth at a young age.

"It's just a sports card to them but a great way to break the barrier for us," said Corporal A.J. Somma. "It's probably the most rewarding thing we do as a police officer."

For many of the kids, the cards have become collectors items which they keep in their lockers or at home. Cameron Reist, a first grader in Mrs. Shienvold's class, gets a trading card from one officer who is posing outside of his precinct.

"I knew as soon as I saw it, that's from Station 2!" Cameron Reist, a first grader in Mrs. Shienvold's class, shouts with excitement.

The cards are most popular at Sara Lindemuth and Thomas Holtzman Elementary Schools, but there is some interest for Susquehanna Township Middle School kids. Police interactions with students start at the first grade level, says Cpl. Somma, but through the students' high school years. In recent years, Chief Martin instituted a "Park n' Walk" program, where officers walk through the school's halls to speak with students.

"We see a lot of these kids on a daily basis. They get to know us. We get to know them, as they come up through the different schools," Somma says.

Yet, the most important lessons are taught at the youngest age, when the children are most impressionable, and it all starts with a card.

"Maybe if they're having a bad day, they can pull the baseball card out," Cpl. Somma says. "They ask, 'What did Corporal Somma say to me?' and maybe, that may help them deal with a crisis they might be going through."

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