Houghton police hold Family Fun Day
By Garrett Neese, DMG WriterArticle Photos
HOUGHTON - Twelve-year-old Ryall Purdy of Houghton was leaning forward as a pair of officers handcuffed him outside the Houghton City Centre Tuesday morning.
Tragic, perhaps, but not necessarily that unusual. What stood out were the officers: Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly and Calumet five-year-old Charlie Frederick Jr.
"You broke the law!" Frederick said.
Frederick's first busting of a perp was but one of many highlights of the Houghton Police Department's first Family Fun Day, held at the City Centre Tuesday.
Cpl. Nick Roberts organized the event, which included fingerprinting, face painting, free food, and games ranging from ring tossing to mini-golf. He said he had wanted to create a program for kids for before the school year.
"The kids and the parents get to see the police department and the police that serve their community," he said. "This way, if they see us, the kids aren't afraid to tell us if they need something."
There was a steady line-up of children at the fingerprinting station, where officers took individual and complete hand prints. The records all go home with the families, Roberts said.
While the kids enjoyed being able to muck up their hands with ink, the parents enjoyed the precautionary measure.
"I think it's a really good idea for everybody to get fingerprinted and come down and meet the police officers," said mother Kerry Daly of Houghton.
The department was packed throughout the early afternoon, with children streaming through the building and outside, where they had free brats and popsicles.
Heidi Tuovila, Frederick's mother, thought the day was a great idea.
"He's trying to be a police officer right now, so it gave him a chance to meet some real police," she said.
Roberts was happy with how the day went.
"It turned out better than I expected," he said. "This will hopefully become an annual event."
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com
