MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Today the Grand Strand Community Law Enforcement Appreciation Committee (CLEAC) held the “Connecting Cops, Kids and Community” event in North Myrtle Beach.
The event brought out hundreds of community members and their families as well as officers from police departments and fire departments across the county. Many Horry County council members were also in attendance.
Jack Thomson brought his family to the event because he wanted his kids to see that cops and firefighters are good people.
“Because of the fact of whats going on right now, I think it’s just lame that a lot of people are trying to put a bad name on the people out here trying to protect our safety. I think that my kids need to know these people out here are here to protect you. These are the people you go to when you need help,” said Thomson.
Horry County Councilman, Harold Worley, agreed that this is a time where an event like this is necessary.
“Especially in this climate that we’re in, there’s so much mistrust going on. It’s important that we stay close,” said Worley.
Throughout the day, kids played football and corn hole with the officers. They also were given a free lunch as well as sticker badges and plastic fire hats. One of the most popular activities was a fire simulator. Kids and firefighters worked together and used a real fire hose to put out the “fire.”
Horry County Sheriff, Phillip Thompson, said the officials got just as much out of this event as he hopes the kids did.
“Maybe this can help us better understand the community,” said Thompson. “And help the community understand us a little better. I just think that’s what we need to do.”
Sheriff Thompson said they are planning more events to connect the cops with the community around the Grand Strand and throughout the state.
