Add the great men and women of the Racine Police Department, with kids around the city and throw in fishing. What do you get? Hundreds of smiles, a most memorable day for all (including myself) and a chance for children to bond with police officers, learn how to fish, and visit a farm.

On Wednesday, July 25, the Racine Police Department held their annual "Cops and Kids Fishing Program." Around 100 kids from all parts of the city and many off-duty officers along with Lt. Al Days and Police Chief Art Howell spent the day at Lake Beulah in East Troy.

The kids, some of them never having been fishing our even out of the city, learned how to fish and caught a lot. Everyone enjoyed a cookout lunch at the fishing site and we able to experience boat rides around the lake and then it was off to a trip to a farm.

Kids learned about many farm animals including, horses, goats, cows and donkeys. They were able to have hands on experience, some touching an animal like this for the first time. The smiles that were given all day proved what a great program that the Racine Police Department runs working with the youth in and around the city.