Deputies Hand Out First Trading Cards

They aren’t worth the hundreds of dollars fetched for Mark McGwire rookie cards, but the Camarillo station of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is hoping its new deputy trading cards will be of more significant value to community police work.

Deputies began distributing two cards from the station’s new 54-card collection last week in an attempt to give kids a positive view of local law enforcement.

The glossy trading cards show two deputies on the job. For instance, Deputy Anthony Biter is shown calling into dispatch from his car radio, while Deputy Pat Romero performs a mock Breathalyzer test. On the back of the cards is biographical information on the deputy, along with words of wisdom.

“Being a good person means doing what is right, even when no one is looking,” writes traffic Sgt. Chris Lathrop on his card.

About 2,000 copies of each card were printed by San Dimas-based IGM Sport Shots. Although police trading cards have been used throughout the country, public safety agencies are recognizing how effective the cards can be for marketing a positive image. The cards, which cost less than $200 to make, were paid for through a grant to the station.

A new set of trading cards can be picked up every week at the Camarillo station or from deputies. Senior Deputy Bob Fleming said they are also working to make them available at several local stores. The cards are available at Bills Bike Shop, 2360 E. Las Posas Road.

So which card is worth the most?

“With the sheriff and commander on there, I don’t want to voice my opinion on that one,” Fleming joked. “But Ill make sure mine’s a collector’s item by handing out only a few.”