[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 138 (Wednesday, September 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         COP COLLECTIBLE CARDS

                                 ______


                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 1994

  Mr. WELDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues an outstanding and innovative program of my district's 
Brookhaven Police Department which has been enormously successful in 
teaching young citizens to stay away from the lure of illegal drugs.
  As the incidence of juvenile crime and illegal drug use continue to 
reach near epidemic proportions, it's imperative that we as a nation do 
all that we can to educate students on the dangers of drugs, crime, and 
violence.
  The Brookhaven Police Department has found a unique way to send 
positive messages to young people through a very successful program 
that other departments are now actively seeking for participation. 
Trading cards, a seemingly old fashioned idea, is once again gaining 
momentum.
  Last year, the department issued its first edition of Cop 
Collectibles--trading cards, similar to baseball and football cards. 
however, instead of sports heroes, the card pictures the local police 
officers. On the back is the officer's biography and an antidrug 
message which the officer on the card has selected.
  The Cop Collectible card program lets young citizens to know their 
police officer. Children not only receive a positive antidrug message, 
but get to know the officer as a friend, not a foe.
  Police Chief John Eller has initiated Cop Collectible card contests 
that have gained the attention of the entire Brookhaven community. 
Youths who gether the largest collection of cop cards have won a 
variety of gifts including ballpark tickets and bicycles.
  This unique program has not only provided a strong and effective 
antidrug message to the community's young people, but has fostered a 
stronger relationship between law enforcement and the local kids.
  The Brookhaven Police Department has reached out to their community 
in an effective way that sends positive messages to local children.
  I wish to commend Police Chief John Eller and the entire Brookhaven 
Police Department for their outstanding efforts and congratulate them 
on the success of the cop card program. It now serves as a model in 
other parts of the Seventh Congressional District.
  I am confident that we will see the positive results of this programs 
for years to come.

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