Punta Gorda Police Officers have teamed up with the Tampa Bay Bucs and Rays players to create the much-anticipated 2012 Punta Gorda Police 3rd Edition Trading Cards. This year’s set of trading cards offers more celebrity photos than previous editions. Among the big names joining forces with the Punta Gorda Police Department include Tampa Bay Bucs Quarterback Josh Freeman, Tampa Bays Rays Third Baseman Evan Longoria and Manager Joe Maddon, the Pawn Stars, and Mike & Mike in the Morning.
Children 12 and younger can compete to be the first to collect the entire 2012 edition of cards. In order to obtain a trading card, each child must personally meet the officer/employee on the trading card. The first male and female to collect the entire set of trading cards will each win a bicycle, and dinner with Chief Albert “Butch” Arenal. A checklist of all the available cards can be picked up in the lobby of the Police Department, 1410 Tamiami Trail, or downloaded from the Police Department’s website at www.puntagorda.police.com. Children who obtain all of the available cards can call Beverly Marquis at 941-575-5520.
This is the third time the Punta Gorda Police Department has engaged with the youth of the community through the Trading Card program. The children of our community interact with officers and employees through this positive experience, thereby developing good relations with the younger citizens of Punta Gorda.
The Punta Gorda Police Department first launched the Trading Card program in 1997 and again in 1999. Both years, the local children worked very hard to collect all the cards. Children flagged down officers in patrol cars, and stopped by the Police Department hoping to meet an officer and obtain a needed card.
“We look forward to the launch of this Third Edition, and to interacting with our young citizens,” stated Chief Arenal. “This has proven to be one of our most successful Community Service programs in the past, and we expect this edition to be even more popular with the children.”