Kickball with a cop Saturday at FMHS

KICKBALL WITH A COP

We’ll have some food for the kids and I think the total time frame is, like, an hour and half. So if we have a really good turnout, we may have to split into teams and take turns, but the goal is to get a lot of kids there. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Cody Potthast, Fort Madison Chief of Police

FORT MADISON – Area youth will be able to lace up their sneakers and spend an hour or so with local law enforcement on Saturday.
The first-ever Fort Madison Kickball with a Cop event has been set for Saturday at the Fort Madison High School’s Hound Dome.
Fort Madison Police Chief Cody Potthast brought the event to Fort Madison from his tenure in Nebraska where they used the event to build relationships with youth in the juvenile detention system.
He said it’s critical for law enforcement to be engaged with officers in other ways than just policing.
“Unfortunately, a lot of times when people see us, it’s on the worst day of their lives. And this is a good chance to associate law enforcement officers in a positive light so they see them as a good influence,” Potthast said.
“Our kids are our future and the future of the community. If we don’t invest in community-based policing, we’re missing chances to engage with them. It’s one thing to go and police, but another to be involved in their lives.”
The event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 and youth from around the county are invited to attend. Potthast also reached out to Lee County Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg and Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum with an invitation.
“From what I’m hearing, we should have representation with both those groups,” Potthast said.
“Kids just need to show up and play. This an opportunity for all of us to meet and engage with each other to do something positive for the county."
Potthast said he’s heard of other activities where law enforcement played other games like dodgeball. But he said he’s wanted to stay away from games where kids have a higher chance of getting hurt.
“In the past, law enforcement agencies have played dodge ball with kids, but I don’t want to see a kid get hurt. Kickball is something everyone knows how to play and can participate in,” he said.
“We’ll have some food for the kids and I think the total time frame is, like, an hour and half. So if we have a really good turnout, we may have to split into teams and take turns, but the goal is to get a lot of kids there. That’s what we’re looking for.
“Just show up and have a good attitude and be ready to play.”