Page 51 - October 2018 FOP Magazine

Members Only Section
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‘Peace in the Park’ brings 006 officers ad coi coser
■ BY ERIKA WURST
In May 2010, Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV was shot and killed as he left his parents’ home near 85th Street and King Drive.
Four suspects approached the off-duty officer in an attempt to rob him of his motorcycle. Instead, a shootout occurred, leaving Wortham mortally wounded.
The terrifying incident shook the community. Not only was the situation a scary one, it took place right across the street from a park, which suddenly didn’t seem so safe. Nat King Cole Park, which Wortham held near and dear to his heart, was now tainted.
That’s when former 6th District CAPS Sergeant Dwayne Betts stepped up and conjured a way not only to take back the park but also to honor Wortham and his dedication as a member of the park district board.
“Betts wanted to do something to show the community that the park was safe for kids,” said CAPS Sergeant Jeffrey West. “It was also a way to honor Wortham because he always had a vision of sup- porting the kids at that park.”
And so, the 6th District Peace in the Park After Dark annual camp-out was born.
Now in its ninth year, the event brings dozens of children to Nat King Cole Park for an evening of fun and adventure. Officers reached out to the community for support and suddenly found themselves with a bevy of sponsors. Businesses ranging from credit unions to pizza chains and big-box retailers hopped on board and offered up almost everything the kids needed to have a fun night with each other and their local officers.
“The kids see that not only are we here to protect them, but that they can have fun interactions with us, too,” West said.
For many of the children, the event is their first campout experi- ence. They’ve never slept in tents, made S’mores over a campfire or taken the time to watch the stars twinkle over them at night.
“The whole experience is great and memorable and something they’ll never forget,” West said. “It’s also a chance for us to make an impression on the kids at a very young age. We get a chance to touch their lives as they’re still growing.”
Officers are teamed with different groups of children through- out the evening. They serve as mentors with sets of open ears and
hearts for the participants to lean on. As a result, children open up about their lives at home and school.
“It shows them that police are not robots. We’re human. We’ve been where these kids are, and we can relate,” West said.
When they’re not chatting up officers, the kids have a moun- tain of activities to indulge in. Rock-climbing and archery were this year’s favorites. There are also tug-of-war challenges, obstacle courses, magic shows, movies and food. Each kid is also sent home with a backpack of school supplies.
Wortham’s parents, who attended this year’s event, were all smiles as they posed for pictures and took in the scene around them. The event is a true testament to the vision of their son.
“So far, we’ve been successful every year,” West said. “We want the kids to walk away saying, ‘I was with the police and I had an awesome time.’” d
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2018 51