Lacey COPs Collectible Card Program To Launch In Mid-March

The Lacey Township Police Department will debut the latest edition of its COPs Collectible Card Program by mid-March, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

The kickoff will take place in the Lacey school district’s elementary school, he said.

The program works like this: local businesses each sponsor a card and then keep the cards at their businesses for residents to collect from mid-March through May 2016, Paprota said.

The business name and address is listed on the back of the sponsored card.

“This program is a very interactive and positive community initiative in which the youth of the township and their families get to know more about the officers and staff within their police department,” Paprota said.

Once the program begins,police officers will carry their respective cards to distribute to youth they meet in the neighborhoods and throughout the township. The program will end in a Meet-the-Officer Day in May/June at the Lacey Township Middle School, along with prize ceremonies at each of the elementary schools, he said.

Students who collected the full set of cards will have their names placed in separate raffles to be held at each school.

The program was last held in 2013 into 2014. More than 1,000 residents participated in the Meet-the-Officer event.

“The Lacey Township Police Department has experienced the attrition of 17 full-time police officers in recent years with 12 new officers being hired,” Paprota said. “The cards provide the whole community with an opportunity to learn more about the changes that have been underway in the police department.”

Any business interested in participating in the program may contact Sergeant Robert Flynn at609.693.6636 x2578 or Lieutenant Patrick Ganley609.693.6636 x2564 for more information.

The businesses already committed to sponsoring a card include the following:

• Forked River Diner
• C&C Cabinetry
• Jersey Mikes
• Wholesale Carpet Outlet
• Anthony’s Pizza & Grill
• Ryan’s Service Center
• Lacey Amoco
• Thompson Health Care & Sports Medicine
• Every Bloomin Thing
• Dunkin Donuts
• Captain’s Inn Restaurant
• Forked River German Butcher
• Fusciello’s Butcher & Deli
• McDonalds
• Joey Tomato’s Pizza
• OTA Complete Car Care Center
• Bob’s Square Deal
• Applebee’s Restaurant
• ShopRite of Lacey
• Hauswirth & Sons Insurance
• Thomas C. Morrissey, CPA
• Eastport Realty
• Lacey Used Auto Parts
• Linda’s Pizza
• J. Lorton & Company
• Lacey Self Storage
• ReMax at Barnegat Bay
• Via Napoli Pizzeria and Restaurant
• Lacey Collision, Inc.
• J.H. Roberts, Inc (Lacey Business Park)
• Wharfside Chiropractic
• Spring Oak Assisted Living
• Lacey Auto Care
• Tony’s General Merchandise
• Mouse’s Wreckreation
• Layton’s Funeral Home
• Dr. Shannon Keyes
• Vesuvio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant
• Integrity Pools
• Play Day Place (Lacey Business Park)
• Termini Nutrition Center
• Home Depot
• Wawa
• Fuji Japanese Restaurant
• Lacey Chamber of Commerce
• PBA Local #238

The cards sponsored by businesses or organizations that don’t have physical locations or regular operating hours will be made available during specified weeks at police headquarters.

Photo credit: Lacey Township Police Department