Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson informed the City Council during their meeting Wednesday night, that Lt. Devin Hogue was presented with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ Angel of Christmas award, Sunday, during the Holiday Concert. Hogue started the can food drive for the Food Pantry six-years ago, and the collection has for the most part, grown each year since. He said in the first year, kids in the community collected 3,126 cans; the 2^nd year, 3,891; the 3^rd year 3,173; the 4^th year, 3,608; the 5^th year, 5,991 and this year, 4,896 cans.

Another program coming up Dec. 15^th, is the Atlantic Police Department’s “Christmas Family Dreams.” It starts at 8-a.m. In front of the Police Station, with stops for shopping all over town. “Shop with a cop” takes place 12:45-p.m. Dec. 16^th at Wal-Mart in Atlantic. Erickson says his officers will show-up, along with a boy by the name of Myles Jones, from Cumberland. He came to the Police Department in June with a hand written note inviting officers to his birthday party. His grandmother made a Police uniform for him.

Lt. Devin Hogue and “Officer Myles” (APD Facebook photo)

Myles also raised almost $1,000 on his own, for the kids’ Christmas programs this year in Atlantic. Lt. Hogue drove Myles around town to collect the donations, and the P-D made Myles an honorary Policeman. They also invited him to the “Shop with a Cop event” this Sunday. Erickson said also, the P-D has invited Atlantic kids to attend a free movie this Saturday, with the help of some chaperones.

The Chief also thanked the Council for their investment last May in new, Load Bearing Vests (LBV’s), that replaced the standard duty belts officers wear that weight nearly 30-pounds with all the added equipment necessary for them to perform their duty. Those belts were responsible for causing lower back pain among many officers, old and young alike.

A type of Load Bearing Vest similar to the one in use by the Atlantic P-D.

12 vests were purchased for about $5,130 altogether. The vests have a five-year warranty, and match the current color of A-PD uniforms. They were paid for through the Employee Benefits Fund.