POCATELLO — The “Handcuff Hunger” event — which was organized by the Pocatello Police Department patrol officers — Thursday at the Outer Limits Fun Zone netted 2,029 cans of food and a matching donation of $2,029 from the JRM Foundation for Humanity that will go to the Idaho Food Bank.
“We are proud to be a part of this great effort to strengthen the community,” said JRM Foundation co-founder, Dr. Fahim Rahim. “The JRM Foundation extends thanks to all of the supporters of the event with a special thanks to members of the Pocatello Police Department, especially Trent Whitney and Akilah Lacey.”
Sgt. Trent Whitney chose the project after each shift at the police department was charged with developing an activity to benefit the community. His squad decided that the food bank would be the recipient of its effort.
The food drive was the brain child of Akilah Lacey, the department’s new canine officer. Lacey worked with patrolman Tarl Lambson, who created the logo for “Handcuff Hunger.”
Those participating in the event were eligible for door prizes and raffle prizes that included two bicycles and bike tune-ups from East Fork Bikes and gift certificates from local restaurants including The Sandpiper, Applebee’s and Firehouse Subs. Other merchandise was donated by Courtesy Ford, Sportsman’s Warehouse, C-A-L Ranch Stores, GameStop and Old Town Gunslingers.
Having officers organize public service events is part of a new set of goals and expectations for 2015 developed by the PPD. Police Chief Scott Marchand and Capt. Roger Schei, who is in charge of the city’s patrol division, said all officers had a chance to shape the goals and expectations for the new year before they were officially adopted.
“In the end, it’s the community we’re trying to serve,” Marchand said. “In my opinion we had drifted away from the community over the past few years.”
He said his officers have embraced the new policies designed to improve community relations, and the “Handcuff Hunger” event was a prime example.
The event brought participation from the Idaho State University football team and the Highland High Lassie’s dance team.
“They’re already planning next year,” Marchand said about his officers and the fundraiser for the Idaho Food Bank.
The PPD will also be launching its second year of holding a citizens’ police academy beginning April 14, the annual police versus firefighters cook-off and a possible “Jail Break” 5K run in August.
The police department has also started a challenge of the month on its Facebook page. The challenge for March is to cut speeding tickets in half by challenging the public to slow down and obey speed limits.
“The majority of efforts will be in the traffic world,” Marchand said about the challenges.
Marchand said one of his primary goals after being named chief was to improve relations between the police department and all the residents of Pocatello.
“We’ll see how this works out,” he said.
