Ocoee PD hosting fishing event for kids

Summertime, lakes and fishing are a rite of passage for children, and the Ocoee Police Department is helping youth make memories with its annual Casting with a Cop events.

The department is hosting another morning of fishing from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 29, near the city’s municipal complex on the southwest shore of Starke Lake, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive.

Children ages 5 through 15 are paired with police officers for a morning of citizenship and community connection. The family event is free, and fishing lessons are provided. Fishing poles and full tackle boxes are available for participants needing equipment. About 35 youth and officers participate each time these fishing events are held.

Past participants said it gives youth a chance to see police officers in a positive light. Others said it allowed them to have a fishing buddy for a few hours.

“It’s a good way to build a relationship between the police department and the kids,” Deputy Chief Vince Ogburn said about last month’s fishing event. “Usually, we have community events or community initiatives that involve the youth, but over the last year we’ve been kind of limited with covid restrictions. This is an event that we could practice social distancing as well as let the children have a good time learning how to fish.”

“It’s not about catching fish, it’s about spending time together,” Ogburn said.

There are no prizes, but the OPD provides free snacks and drinks.

“This event is important to the PD because it allows the police department officers to create a stronger bond with our youth and citizens,” said Officer Natalia Ortiz, event coordinator.

Registration forms are available online at ocoee.org/367/forms. For information, contact Officer Ortiz at (407) 554-7204 or [email protected].