MORENO VALLEY: Cub Scouts earn Merit Badges learning about law enforcement
K9 Handler Deputy Schmidt addresses the young Cub Scouts with his K9 partner “Dre.” Moreno Valley Police Department photo
MORENO VALLEY – Cub Scouts and families from Moreno Valley’s Troop 100 were treated to an evening meeting with Moreno Valley Police Department officials Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The specially planned troop meeting provided the scouts with a fun and interactive evening learning about law enforcement.
During the meeting, officials from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Police station spent nearly two hours with the scouts, who ranged in age from 4 to 12 years old.
The deputies conducted demonstrations, answered scout’s and parent’s questions, and made a lasting impression on all the children and adults they met and interacted with.
“We discussed the various roles of police officers, the dangers of drugs, and how the police are there to help those in need,” a Moreno Valley PD official explained in a social media press release after the evening.
The meeting also helped the Cub Scouts in attendance earn towards their Scouting Merit Badges.
According to Bianca Paola – one of many parents who were in attendance at Wednesday night’s meeting – said the evening “helped the boys learn about, better understand, and develop a sense of community awareness and responsibility.”
The Cub Scouts in attendance listen intently during the pack meeting. Moreno Valley Police Department photo
The desired outcome was for the boys to develop character and leadership skills they could then use to better contribute to their own personal pride, while taking into consideration the needs of others.
During the event, deputies explained the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement officers from different agencies and various departments within the Sheriff’s Department and Moreno Valley PD.
Officials answered “many different questions” from the young scouts, discussed the proper way to use 911, and provided an opportunity for the children to meet and interact with Sheriff’s K9 Handler Deputy Schmidt and his K9 partner “Dre” and other sheriff’s officials.
During the K9 demonstration, Deputy Schmidt took the time to explain the values and benefits of having a K9 available to assist with different calls for service.
Scouts also had the opportunity to climb onto a police motorcycle for photographs and crawl around inside a sheriff’s patrol vehicle.
After the meeting, parents who had been in attendance raved about the experiences they and their children had enjoyed.
Paola thanked Moreno Valley police officials saying, “I can’t thank the officers enough. Our boys really enjoyed themselves and were very thrilled to have met all the different officers.”
Five-year-old Angel Aguilar took the opportunity to chase imaginary bad-guys on a MVPD motorcycle. Moreno Valley Police Department photo
Since the meeting, Paola’s son, Angel Aguilar – who is a five-year-old “Lion Cub” – has been enthusiastically talking about “all of the gadgets” law enforcement officers use and have access to.
The day after the meeting, Angel even told his mom, “I want to be a cop so I can be cool and help people just like them.”
Robin Pena, another parent who was at the meeting wrote on a social media post about the evening.
“Thank you so much,” Pena said. “My son can’t stop talking about becoming a K9 officer.”
Christina Castro wrote, “My son had a great time and couldn’t stop talking about it. Thanks for making their night!”
“Thank you so much for coming out to our den meeting and for your service to our community,” Nicole Rhodes said after the meeting.
Adriana Joslin, another parent wrote, “Above and beyond all, thank you!” Our boys LOVED it!”
Moreno Valley PD officials were quick to respond back to the parents and the Cub Scouts.
“We would like to thank Cub Scout Pack 100 for inviting us out to their weekly meeting,” an official said after the event. “We were honored to meet these amazing scouts and their families.”
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
Troop 100 was formed in 1947. The Troop was originally at March Field, formerly March Air Force Base, in Riverside, California. The troop participates in many regular activities such as monthly camping trips, backpacking, canoeing, summer camp, service projects, and earning merit badges.
Anyone desiring more information about joining Troop 100 or about Cub Scouts in general, can contact Troop 100 or the Boy Scouts of America.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.