Clowning around: It’s serious business
Pardon the pun, but the Chandler Police Department is all SMILEs these days. A group of Chandler officers has joined Safety Magic in Law Enforcement, whose mission is to teach children about safety and violence prevention using the art of clowning.
The cop clowns use chalk talk and balloon sculptures during police department functions and presentations at Chandler Schools, day care centers and parades.
The department’s Community Policing Advisory Board, a non-profit organization consisting of Chandler citizens, assists the troupe by raising funds for costumes, clown makeup and clowning supplies, and by promoting community-based policing programs.
Citizens and businesses in the community provide funding for costumes, wigs, props, shoes, make-up, trading cards additional clowning supplies. There are currently three officers waiting for funding.
CPAB will host a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at a police department open house.
For additional information on CPAB and information on sponsoring a cop clown, contact the Chandler Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (480) 782-4320.
Included in the items to be auctioned are a flight in a B-17 Flying Fortress ($400 value), several weekend packages at local hotels, several "golf for two" and dinner packages, Arizona Cardinals autographed jersey, gift certificate ($100 value) to Audino Family Chiropractic Center, Diamondback tickets, movie passes, jewelry and karate memberships.