This week and last week the Troup County Sheriff’s Office held a youth camp, for children ages 9 through 12. The camp is a way for local children to get a close-up view of what the sheriff’s office does on a daily basis.

Children know that police officers, or sheriff’s deputies, arrest people, but most don’t realize all of the other responsibilities law enforcement workers handle on a daily basis.

The campers got a chance to see the vehicles and equipment the TCSO uses, including the sheriff’s office boat and investigation van. TCSO deputies also teach children the dangers of marijuana and other drugs.

Sgt. Stewart Smith, who serves as the public information officer for TCSO, said the camp is one of the highlights of the year for the sheriff’s office.

In addition to the camp, law enforcement agencies in Troup County also come together once a year for the National Night Out, which allows the community to interact with officers for an evening of fun. However, these camps, which are held by the LaGrange Police Department and Troup County Sheriff’s Office may be even more important, since they are allowing children an opportunity to get to know officers. There’s nothing more important for law enforcement than gaining the trust and support of their communities.

These children had a chance to see that cops aren’t always chasing bad guys around town and taking them to jail. They are adults with families and lives, just like their parents and teachers.

We applaud the sheriff’s office for taking the time to hold this annual camp and showing area youth what they do every day.