Trading cards connect kids, community with West Linn police officers

Roll over King Felix -- and tell Robbie Cano the news: There’s a new kind of trading card in West Linn that may shove baseball cards into the outfield.

And these cards don’t even come with bubble gum.

The West Linn Police Department, in partnership with the West Linn Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, is distributing Cop Cards emblazoned with photos of WLPD officers. Businesses, in turn, are giving out the cards to any kids who show up at their doors.

So far, the cards have been a big hit.

“Kids already are coming to our office, asking for them,” said Russel Williams, who runs a State Farm Insurance agency. “For some local businesses, the cards could drive some customers their way. But for me, it’s a fun event that will create good will between kids and the police.

“I think it’s a great program,” Williams said.

Cop Cards made their debut April 6. If a kid collects all 23 cards in the series, he or she can enter a grand-prize raffle running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6 at the Police Station, 1800 Eighth Ave. The prizes also will be donated by local businesses.

Cop Cards are the brainchild of Officer Jeff Mayer, who admired the success of a similar program run by police in Lacey Township, N.J. When Mayer ran the idea past his superiors in February, they gave him the green light.

“One of the biggest reasons the cards attracted me is they remind me of a simpler time, when kids could jump on their bikes and be gone all day,” Mayer said. “Baseball cards always were a big part of that time. I know my friends and I all had fund collecting them and trading them.”

But unlike baseball cards, Cop Cards deliver more than home runs, strikeouts and tooth decay. They offer a way for kids and their families to become familiar with the officers patrolling West Linn’s streets, investigating problems and protecting the community.

Each card has a brilliantly clear digital photo one of the officers or the Police Station. On the back, each contains a brief bio and information on the business that sponsored the card. Each card also contains a catchy personal message from the officer.

For example, Officer Jeff Halvorson’s card says, “Life’s a garden – dig it!”

Community Service Officer Peggy Jones’ card says, “Choose your friends wisely, who your friends are – you may become.”

And Police Chief Terry Timeus’ card says, “Always do the right thing – even when nobody is watching!”

When Mayer brought the idea to the West Linn Chamber of Commerce, the board immediately got behind it. Melinda Doblie, the Chamber’s staff person, said she was glad to help recruit business sponsors for the Cop Card project.

“It’s a good way to support the Police Department,” Doblie said. “The Chamber board definitely got behind this project.”

More than 20 businesses volunteered to sponsor Cop Cards, joined by West Linn City Hall and the West Linn Library Foundation.

Meanwhile, Mayer said, the West Linn Police Benevolent Association and Cathy Phelps, the Clackamas County medical examiner, donated money to buy prizes.

“We hope that when others see what we’re doing, they’ll want to get in on it,” Mayer said.

The cards’ best effect, Mayer said, is presenting police as real people, so primary-school-age kids don’t just see them as driving by in a patrol car or rushing off to a crisis. At the same time, their parents can “meet” the city’s officers in some way besides getting a traffic citation or a public-safety warning about leaving vehicles unlocked or garage doors open.

“We hope to let kids know they don’t have to be afraid of cops,” Mayer said. “We want them to understand we’re here to help them. We want them to come to us if they have a problem.”

Chief Terry Timeus said he hoped Cop Cards would help to tear down walls created by less-than-pleasant experiences, but also to dispel negative stereotypes kids may see in movies and on TV.

“In the old days, when officers walked their beats, everybody got to know them,” Timeus said. “Well, these are different times, so we need different ways to meet citizens in the community. I think Cops Cards are going to be a good step in the right direction.”

Cop Card Business Sponsors and where to collect them:

• ActiveEDGE Physical Therapy

• Baskin-Robbins West Linn

• Clackamas Federal Credit Union

• Cute as a Button Baby Boutique

• Defense Arts Northwest

• Fairytale Jubilee

• Family Foot Clinic

• Healthy Pet West Linn

• Hometown Sports

• J Meyer Salon

• Kumon Math and Reading Center of West Linn

• Les Schwab Tire Center

• Linn City Chiropractic

• Mathnasium of West Linn

• Myriad Home Entertainment Solutions

• Pacific West Bank

• Round Table Pizza

• Russel Williams State Farm Insurance

• The School of Oregon Ballet Theatre

• West Linn City Hall

• West Linn Library Foundation

• Willamette Coffee House

• World Champion Taekwondo