The first-ever Kops and Kids field day, hosted by PACE Center for Girls Alachua, was met with several surprises Friday.
Heavy rain forced about 50 girls and a group of officers and deputies from Gainesville Police and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office to meet at the center on Southeast Fourth Avenue rather than Greentree Park.
As the rain interrupted a tug-of-war match, everyone moved inside, where Executive Director Natalya Bannister danced with the girls.
“Some of our girls have a negative perception of officers in our community, and we are looking for creative ways to help them bridge that gap,” she said.
Bannister said the tug-of-war match, along with sack races and a dance off, brought another surprise.
“At first it was cops against kids, but they ended up working together,” she said. “It wasn’t really part of the plan, it just kind of happened.”
Khamani Young said the center gave her a more positive outlook on life.
“Before I came here, I would skip school,” Young said.
“I can’t just throw my life away, playing around,” she said. “I need to get serious. I’m trying to go to college soon.”
GPD Officer Dontonya Smith said the rain changed Kops and Kids from an outdoor field day to an indoor party.
“We showed them we can dance, we can play, we’re moms, we’re sisters, we’re friends,” Smith said. “It kinda humanizes us to the kids.”
