NEWPORT BEACH : Police Gaining Fans With Trading Cards

Most kids are scared to talk to police officers, says 10-year-old Elizabeth Dullien. But now she and about 100 other children are taking part in an attempt to bridge the gap between them and law enforcement officers.

On Monday, Elizabeth and some other children at Newport Elementary School received the first in a series of 17 trading cards featuring members of the city’s police force.

Fear of the men and women in blue has been lessened, Elizabeth said, explaining that she can now approach an officer to ask for anything--even an autograph.

That’s what police were hoping would happen when they produced the cards, which feature different officers on the force. Their pictures are on the front and brief descriptions of their jobs and an anti-drug abuse message adorn the back.

“(The cards) give kids a chance to get to know us and see that police are just people too,” said Officer Ed Walsh, who is part of the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) program taught in all city schools. “They promote better relations between kids and the Police Department.”

“It’s a chance for kids to talk to officers,” said DARE Officer Lavonne Campbell.

The cards were purchased with narcotic asset seizure funds, police said.

They’re modeled after other Orange County police department’s cards, such as the ones that were introduced in Tustin and Buena Park last year.

The first cards are being distributed during the first week of the 17-week DARE program. In conjunction with the classes, DARE officers will be handing out a new card each week.

The cards are styled after baseball and other sports cards. Like Dullien, other children said they will collect the whole set.

This week’s card highlights two bike patrol officers. Next week’s will feature the canine unit and later, the SWAT team card will be distributed.

Most officers will carry the cards to hand out free to children who ask for them.

“I think these are neat,” Elizabeth said, looking at a framed set that her DARE officer brought to class. “Now kids can see the different things cops do and not be scared to go up to them.”

“I think (the trading cards) make you feel a lot closer to the police, a lot more comfortable that the police are around protecting my city,” said 12-year-old Jesse Wright. He said he’s going to keep his cards in plastic so they’ll stay in “mint condition.”

“I think these are better than baseball cards,” 9-year-old Justin Haworth said.