CMPD officers seek 'Reel Connections' through neighborhood fishing program

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers seek “Reel Connections” through a neighborhood fishing program

A few times each summer, CMPD officers from the North Tryon Division set aside their badge and pick up fishing bait, even if only for a few hours.

In its second year, the program, called “Reel Connections,” pairs division officers with children from the communities they serve in an effort to bridge the gap between them.

“It allows you to connect with the kids,” said Lt. Jeff Harless.

“When you fish with them for a day and then you go back into the neighborhood and they see you, they're going to talk to you because they remember who you are. “

Last Wednesday, officers buddied up with nearly a dozen neighborhood children, and spent several hours on a fishing excursion along Reedy Creek.

Harless said the division works with area apartment complexes to identify families with children interested in the experience.  Officers have also extended an invitation to children they’ve met while on duty.

“A lot of them have never been to a place like this and it's right in their back yard,” he said.

For hours, the duos shared laughs over the big catch, or in some cases, the big miss.

The interaction comes as a stark contrast to how the “buddies” would normally meet.

“Usually when they see us in their neighborhood, we're there because somebody called us because something bad happened,” Harless said.

This time, it’s all good.

Cox Media Group