One person said of the Halloween event: “Citizens’ fear of being killed by cops rather than being killed by zombies or serial killers is not as flexible as you might think.”

The Sherwood Police Department in Sherwood, Oregon, surprised some members of the community when it made the announcement last week. Hide and Seek with a PolicemanIt’s a modified game of tag billed as an “interactive” community event where kids 12 and up, as well as adults, do their best to evade armed police officers.

Public information officer Paul Mattson III defended the event. Oregon Live He asked about the response the ministry received.

“There will always be people who have something negative to say,” Mattson told the media on Tuesday, October 22. “We’re really just trying to create a fun, interactive event for us, our community, and people outside of our community. I welcome you to come join us and spend some time with us.”

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First advertised event Sherwood Police Department‘s Facebook account on October 15 is “basically your only chance to escape the cops without consequences,” the ministry’s announcement said.

The department is known for leading community meetings, according to Mattson. Star Wars– themed “Coffee with the Force” encourages residents to dress up as Stormtroopers and Mandalorians to meet officers for a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop.

But commenters on the Sherwood Police Department’s Facebook post didn’t seem to think running from armed officers after dark at 7 p.m. wouldn’t carry the same significance.

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“So you haven’t considered how traumatic interactions with armed police are? Did you set this up as a game? Have you actually tried community outreach and sensitivity training?” one user wrote.

Another person added: “Interesting idea, but I don’t think citizens being more afraid of being killed by cops than being killed by zombies or serial killers is as flexible as you think.”

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One user said they were “confused” by the idea because “my nephew was shot by the police during a mental health check and now it’s hard not to be afraid of the uniform.”

Still, Mattson told Oregon Live that if the Sherwood Police Department doesn’t stick to its guns, it would defeat its goal of helping community members overcome the fear of interacting with officers as they do.

In a statement KOIN“Sometimes wearing a uniform can scare or make people uncomfortable,” Mattson said. And when they see us at community events or on social media, it really humanizes us and creates community engagement.

Hide and Seek and Cop is scheduled to be held at Stella Olsen Memorial Park on October 30, the day before Halloween.

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