WS Chronicle

Next summer, children may get a new view of police as the Winston-Salem Police Foundation plans to role out an ice cream truck and bookmobile in one vehicle.

The nonprofit has raised about a quarter of the $125,000 that it’ll take for the Operation Sweet Reads vehicle.

The foundation supports the Winton-Salam Police Department through funding for training, skill development and partnerships between the community and police.

Foundation President Scott Sewell said the foundation had already gotten a $25,000 Flow Foundation grant to buy books. He said he wanted to do more than just give them away and was inspired by ice cream trucks that police departments in Boston and St. Louis use.

He said Sweet Reads will involve officers giving out free ice cream to children, which they’ll then read stories to inside the truck. The children will also receive a free book.

“We think it’s just a wonderful opportunity to really do two things: one is bridge the gap between officers and children, and two is do our fair share in the community to help children read and see all the positive advancements that reading can give them in their future.”

New WSPD Chief Catrina Thompson also thought it was a great idea.

“This is another opportunity for us to spend time with the youth in our community doing something fun, something exciting but, most importantly, something educational,” said Thompson. “Whenever we give kids hope and confidence, we give them an alternative to getting involved in crime.”

The Sweet Reads truck will be donated to the city once it’s complete and the City Council will probably vote on accepting it next month. Sewell said he expects Sweet Reads to start in May 2018.