Kids Get To Know Summit Police Officers With Trading Card Program

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Police Department is bringing back the trading card program, which aims at making children comfortable with approaching officers in the town.

Originally launched in 2004, the trading program has returned for its fourth installment. Summit kids are encouraged to collect all 56 trading cards by approaching police officers and staff and asking for their card.

“Our goal for this program is for children to become comfortable with approaching an officer in town and initiating a conversation to ask for their trading card,” Acting Police Chief Steven Zagorski said. “We are always working to strengthen our relationship with the residents of Summit, and this makes the process more personal."

Zagorski said the program will also help familiarize younger residents with the names and faces of Summit's officers, so that in a time of need, it will be easy for them to reach out to an officer for help.

In early June, a prize drawing lottery will be held for children in preschool through fifth grade. Children who collect 20, 40 or all 56 trading cards will be entered into a raffle once, twice, or three times depending on the number of cards they have collected.

The trading cards are available until the end of May. Each week, several featured cards will be available at the Police Department Records Bureau window at City Hall until 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

This week, featured trading cards include Chief Zagorski, Mayor Nora Radest, Captain Rick Proctor and Captain Ryan Peters.

The trading card program is funded by the Summit Police Athletic League.

For more information, including program and lottery guidelines, a list of featured cards or a poster of all 56 cards, visit the police department's website or contact the Summit Police Department at 908-273-0051.

Watch the video below to learn more:

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