A heartwarming initiative aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and young community members has taken root in Statesboro, Georgia. The inaugural "Story Time with a Police Officer" event, held on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, marked the beginning of a promising partnership between the Statesboro Police Department and the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library.
Spearheaded by Ruth Atchley, the department's Community Information Specialist, the program seeks to build trust and understanding from an early age. Having recently transitioned to her new role, she was eager to revitalize community outreach efforts and saw the library as a natural partner. The vision is for "Story Time with a Police Officer" to become a regular monthly event, creating consistent positive interactions.
Atchley, a former teacher, recognized the profound impact of early childhood literacy and the opportune moment to connect children with police officers in a relaxed and engaging setting.
"I know the importance of childhood literacy and catching them at the right age to get excited about books," she explains.
The motivation behind the program stems from observations during the junior officer program, where children sometimes exhibit apprehension around uniformed officers. By engaging in activities like story time, the hope is to foster a connection, demonstrating that officers are approachable and friendly members of the community. As Atchley poignantly shared, some children unfortunately learn to associate police with negative connotations.
The initiative has been met with enthusiasm from the police department, with outreach officers eager to participate. The program aims to humanize officers, showing children that they are individuals with families and lives beyond their uniforms. Future sessions are planned to include not only story time but also hands-on activities, further encouraging positive engagement.
The first event, which coincided with Children's Book Day, hosted two sessions: one at 10:30am for toddlers (ages 3-5) and another at 4:00pm for older children (ages 6-11), featuring different, age-appropriate books.
Officer Larry Futch entertained both age groups by bringing his enthusiasm, inspired by his personal love of reading.
"I'm hoping it's going to be an ongoing program," Atchley says. "At least once a month."
While the monthly schedule may vary slightly due to officer availability, "Story Time with a Police Officer" promises to be a valuable and ongoing program in Statesboro.
For more information about "Story Time with a Police Officer," please contact the Statesboro Police Department or the Statesboro-Bulloch Library.
