Coffee with a Cop
This is a great opportunity for community members to meet with police officers, voice neighborhood concerns and have a free cup of coffee on us. No agendas or speeches, just coffee and conversation on how we can better serve our community. The Community Services Officers provide translation as necessary.
YumVee Ice Cream Patrols
The “YumVee” – a military surplus vehicle fitted to serve as an ice cream truck. When their schedule permits, officers visit neighborhoods and events to reach out to people of all backgrounds with treats. In addition to the good will, the effort helps to establish relationships between law enforcement and young people.
Pop Up BBQ's
During the summer months, police use social media to announce informal grill-outs pop-up style, that bring residents flocking to Seneca Park to share in the picnic. Like the other events, donations and business partnerships make it possible to offer such opportunities without a burden on taxpayers.
Operation Hoop Dreams
Realizing that young people in the central part of the City had no access to a basketball court, the SLPD raised funds to build a court in the park behind the police station. Children of all ethnic backgrounds come to play together, and officers occasionally join in. The effort is another way to ensure communication between young people and law enforcement.
Endless Sea Coffee
SLPD Coffee Blends are roasted, ground and packaged by local Storm Lake youth at The Bridge of Storm Lake and Endless Sea Coffee. A percentage of the proceeds from the sales of SLPD Coffee goes back into the community through our outreach programs.
Meet us at the Farmers' Market
SLPD Outreach event within the Storm Lake Farmers Market. Officers and CSOs often provide free ice cream from the SLPD Ice cream truck and conduct free pop-up-BBQs for community members within the venue.
Karen Wrist Tying Celebration
Wrist Tying is a cultural practice in India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Different cultures and religions give different meanings to the practice of wrist tying. For Karen Christians, Buddhists and Animists the Wrist Tying Festival symbolizes renewing bonds within families and community. When Christians and Buddhists, Karens and Americans celebrate the festival together it becomes a symbol of community solidarity. The Storm Lake Police Department were invited to begin participating in the ceremonies in 2022.
Chills and Thrills Halloween Event
A Storm Lake Downtown trick-or-treating event. Members of the SLPD stage police vehicles downtown and provide free candy and glowsticks and photo opportunities to children as a Halloween celebration.
Gloves with Love Winter Clothing Drive
An annual winter clothing drive organized inside the lobby of the police headquarters building. Donors leave winter hats, coats, gloves, and nonperishable food items which are donated to the local Storm Lake community.
Santa Cops
Members of the SLPD work with local community members to adopt several Storm Lake families in need, to provide Christmas gifts for the holiday season. SLPD Office Staff select, purchase, and wrap gifts for the families. Police Officers, Detectives, CSOs and Office Staff deliver the gifts along with Santa Claus to the families.
National Night Out
An annual Storm Lake community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make Storm Lake neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. The SLPD assists in organizing block parties throughout the city. Police, Fire and EMS stop at each party to meet and engage with community members.
Back-to School Jam
An annual back-to-school registration health fair that is organized by the Storm Lake Community School District. The SLPD partners with area barbers, beauticians, and stylists to provide free back to school haircuts for Storm Lake children.
Vaccination Clinics
During the COVID-19 Pandemic the SLPD partnered with the SALUD Health Coalition to assist various Storm Lake Immigrant communities with interpreters for Q&A sessions and free vaccination clinics in various locations within Storm Lake.
Buddhist Temple Celebrations
The SLPD is often invited to attend various celebrations and festivals at the Storm Lake Buddhist Temple. The celebrations are a great way to engage residents and learn about our rich cultures.
Tacos with a Cop
Like Coffee with a Cop, the SLPD partners with local taquerias to host a program that brings police officers and the community members they serve together–over tacos–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. The SLPD buys the tacos!
Egg Rolls with a Cop
Like Coffee with a Cop, the SLPD partners with local Asian restaurants to host a program that brings police officers and the community members they serve together–over eggrolls–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. THE SLPD buys the eggrolls!
