PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Bensalem, Pennsylvania police have unveiled a new tool to encourage dialogue and positive communication with township residents: An ice cream truck called Copsicle.
Public Safety Director Fred Harran said this idea was born after a sleepless night during the pandemic.
"Copsicle was something was something that I was just surfing the Internet when I had trouble sleeping," said Harran. "I know it's crazy, but I look at police websites all over the country. I have been doing this for 34 years."
After running it by Bensalem's mayor, Harran teamed up with the school superintendent and school bus mechanics because the cost of buying a used ice cream truck was too much.
Together, they decided a school bus would be a good option. The district gifted them one. Once Harran introduced the idea, the community rallied together.
"We bought some freezers. We got the money from a couple of different groups (including) one of our community coalitions here, 'Building a Better Bensalem Together,'" Harran said.
"Creekside Apartments donated money. I had a local guy reach out to Philadelphia Water Ice and they got on board, suppling ice cream and water ice below cost. And the Lions Club got involved."
But Harran said this truck is also designed to bring help to Bensalem residents that need it.
"This truck also has a QR Code of Community Resources," Harran explained.
"A lot of times, people have to take pamphlets and packets, and they don't want to ask or take that stuff because of embarrassment, but now it is a QR code. The whole world is used to QR codes because during COVID-19, all the menus were QR codes."
Harran said he is thrilled his officers will take turns driving to give kids an up close look at the officers who are there to help them.
If there is a community event in Bensalem Township you would like the truck to make an appearance at, you can e-mail fharran@bensalempa.gov.
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