FROSTBURG — Area children and their families are invited to stop by the Frostburg Police station for the sixth year with Cocoa with the Po Po on Dec. 2 from 9 to 10 a.m. and Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The station is located at 37 Broadway.
The full-service police department serves the residents and visitors of the Frostburg community 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Chief Nicholas Costello said benefits of Cocoa with the Po Po extend far beyond the visits during Storybook Holiday. The benefits extend throughout the year and throughout the community as children and families have the opportunity to meet and get to know the men and women who selflessly serve the community.
“This type of event is a great opportunity for interaction and relationship-building between our police department and our community. It helps break down potential barriers and build familiarity with the police when our youths and their parents can visit with us, tour our police station and have some fun,” Costello said.
“It’s important for people to view the police department as a community resource and to feel comfortable and familiar coming into the police station or calling when they need help.
“Our officers really enjoy this event. We have several officers and civilian staff members that volunteer each year to help make Storybook Holiday a success, including marching in the parade and participating in Cocoa with the Po Po. They have fun, and they recognize that these events are great for reflecting the reality that our police department is a part of our community.”
The Frostburg Police Department welcomed more than 300 children to Cocoa with the Po Po during previous years and Costello and his officers and staff hope to see that number grow for the 20th annual Storybook Holiday festivities.
“I have lived in the city of Frostburg my entire life. Growing up, I went to Beall Elementary School and later Beall Junior-Senior High School. I always remember the Frostburg City Police officers directing traffic at the schools; patrolling the neighborhoods, businesses and parks; and being close by if help was needed,” Costello said.
“Their service to, and close interaction with the community, reflected the best of policing, and events like Cocoa with the PoPo take that even a step further by hosting a fun and enjoyable event, open to all, right at our police station. It is very important to me, both personally and as chief of police, that our police department be close to and a part of our community. This is one very special way to do that.”