OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – A charitable cause is bringing nine Fox Valley law enforcement agencies together.
Oshkosh Police Officer Kate Mann says they’re helping the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign through the ‘Badges and Bells’ initiative.
“We’re going to be in several different locations in the month of December ringing the bells for this ‘Badges and Bells’ campaign.”
Mann says they’ve also joined forces to help other groups in the past.
“The St. Joseph Food Pantry, the Fox Valley NAMI, and the Wisconsin Special Olympics campaign.”
She says efforts like the ‘Badges and Bells campaign’ bring benefits when it comes to crime-related matters.
“This is a way for us to get to know each other so when we do have a serious incident that we know each other and we have a point of contact, we can reach out to them.”
Mann hopes the campaign, which will also include lighthearted videos on the agencies’ social media accounts, also bolsters relationships with the public.
“I hope that (the residents) see that we’re just like them: members of the communities in which we serve. We really wanted to humanize the badge and show the fun, lighter side of being in law enforcement.”
Participating agencies are the Appleton, Fox Crossing, Fox Valley Metro, Grand Chute, Menasha, Neenah, and Oshkosh police departments and the Outagamie and Winnebago county sheriff’s offices.
