Community runs from cops in benefit fun run
Wynette Heeren ran from the cops this past Saturday morning, but it wasn’t for a crime she had committed.
Heeren, along with more than 20 others, ran just over three miles around Vermillion hoping they wouldn’t get caught by “police” and have to go to jail. Heeren was a participant in the third Run from the Cops 5K benefit run hosted by the local Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
“They (law enforcement) can be intimidating,” she said. “This is a fun way to interact with them.”
The event in Prentis Park began with “civilians” in red shirts equipped with a flag taking to the start line first. They were given a 15-second head start in the race before the “cops,” who wore blue, chased the civilians down. If a cop pulled a red-shirter’s flag before reaching the finish line, the civilian was taken to a jail cell set up in the park.
The civilians who were jailed then had to face Clay County State’s Attorney Teddi Gertsma, who was participating in the benefit run as the “judge.” Jailed civilians had to pay a $5 bail bond to the judge.
“We’re supporting the police departments,” Heeren said.
The FOP is a non-profit organization comprised of local law enforcement officers. All the funds raised from Saturday’s event stays local, said Clay County Deputy Sheriff Dave Kyte. In the past, he said the FOP purchased shoes for a local Special Olympics athlete who couldn’t afford them, and has also donated to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, which commemorates officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Kyte is one of the main organizers of the Run From the Cops 5K, and said each year he enjoys seeing the interaction between local law enforcement and the community.
“It’s (poking) fun towards us,” Kyte said.
Clint Meadows was another runner in the event. Meadows has run in 5K’s before, but on Saturday was focused on keeping his pace to avoid his flag being pulled.
“They only gave us a 15-second head start,” he said. “I wanted to support them (local law enforcement).”
Kyte said the run is also a way for the community to engage with law enforcement in a different way.
“Ninety percent of the time when we’re dealing with people, something bad has happened or they made a bad decision,” he said. “This is a great way to talk with people, interact with them in a different way.”
(Photo: Community members wearing red run from the “cops” in blue to avoid being sent to jail and having to pay a $5 bail bond during the third Run from the Cops 5K fun run on Sept. 26. The local Fraternal Order of Police hosted the event, and all funds raised from the event stays local. Trent Opstedahl / The Volante)
