LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Children and the police officers who protect them sat down side-byside, filling paper with bright colors together during “Cops & Crayons” at the Ocean County Little Egg Harbor Branch on Saturday, March 18.

More than 280 people of all ages took part in the two-hour event organized by OCL Children’s Librarian Kate Sanchez and Little Egg Harbor Police Sergeant Sean Crotty

“I would like to thank Sgt. Crotty and his wife for helping bring this event to the library. Organizing an event like this was a team effort of OCL & police staff, school, & community volunteers. It was wonderful to see so many people at the library.” Sanchez said

Youngsters shared crayons and paper with their peers and with officers, viewed a demonstration by Officer Brian Smith & K9 Officer Hooks, and received free Child ID cards courtesy of theCHILD Project and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

The nationwide, voluntary Children’s Identification and Location Database (CHILD) Project network allows law enforcement and social service agencies to locate and identify missing children and adults through iris biometric recognition technology.

Among the prominent attendees was Ocean County Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, former Mayor of Little Egg Harbor.

“Cops & Crayons” was presented in partnership with the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Municipal Alliance Committee, Little Egg Harbor Parent-Teacher Organization, Little Egg Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Little Egg Harbor Education Association, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. Donations of crayons and coloring books were made to the LEHPD by the Little Egg Harbor Walmart and Dollar General.