Baseball cards see unlikely competitor: Milltown police

Baseball cards see unlikely
competitor: Milltown police


MILLTOWN — Children in the borough can now collect and trade more than just baseball cards.

Borough police recently had cards made that are similar to baseball cards — with the officers’ picture on the front and a short biography and personal message on the flip side. Designed as a means of community relations, the cards have gone over big, and they are rapidly disappearing into the hands of local children.

"It’s great. The parents love it, the kids are really into it, and it’s a way for the public to view us as human beings," said Sgt. Eric Rahn, the mastermind behind the new cards. "It’s a great icebreaker. Rather than being afraid, it’s a way for the kids in town to get to know us and not hesitate to approach us."

Each of the Milltown department’s 15 officers received about 2,000 individualized cards, Rahn said.


The cards of Milltown sergeants Eric Rahn and Clifford A. Kumpf Jr.The cards of Milltown sergeants Eric Rahn and Clifford A. Kumpf Jr.

"We haven’t even officially launched the cards yet and already, through word of mouth, kids are asking for them constantly," he said during a May 29 fund-raising event at Applebee’s. "They’re spreading like wildfire."

"It’s good public relations with the community," agreed Sgt. Clifford A. Kumpf Jr. "We tell the kids to obey their parents and be good citizens at the same time."

The personal messages on the back also have advice for children. Rahn’s says, "Remember life is what you make it. If you want it bad enough, make it happen. Dreams do come true." Another message, that of Patrolman Chris Johnson, reads "Never give up!"

Rahn, who runs the borough’s Police Explorers program, said he began reflecting on ways to reach younger children and ultimately conjured up the police card concept. In the Explorers program, participants — who range in age from 14 to 21 — train with the police force in all aspects of law enforcement to prepare them to pursue a career as adults in the field.

"I have two boys of my own, ages 6 and 4, and I wanted to find a way to reach them at an early age," said Rahn. "One day my son was looking at a baseball card and it clicked. … It keeps the kids out of trouble and gives them something to do, and hopefully inspires them to join the Explorer program when they get a little older."

Rahn said that in recent weeks children in the community have been stopping officers all over town and asking for his or her personal card. Once a child collects all 15, the police department issues a certificate good for a free ice cream or another prize yet to be determined, he said.

Emily Steeber, a 12-year-old student at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, said she really likes the idea of the police interacting more with the community.

"They’re really nice people once you get to know them," she said. "I like the fact that their job is about helping people out."

Emily’s sister, Erica, 9, said she also has been collecting the cards.

"It’s really cool," she said. "And the best part is on the Fourth of July you get an ice cream cone if you collect all 15."

Erica said she went to the police station with her parents and collected four cards, and later added another seven to her pile after attending the May 29 "Tip a Cop" fund-raiser at Applebee’s, Ryders Lane. That event, in which police officers waited tables to raise money for the Special Olympics, found many local children swarming around the officers to get their cards.

"There’s no other department in the area I know that has this," said Rahn, who had the cards printed from Choice Marketing after receiving approval from Milltown Police Chief Raymond Geipel and from the PBA.

"It just melts my heart when a kid comes up to me and asks for my card," he said. "It really makes me want to cry."

— Nida Khan