Random Acts of Cop Kindness
Have you noticed APD officers engaging with community members at grocery stores or gas stations? If you’ve seen a group of officers connecting with others over the past year, there’s a special reason behind it! AC4C is proud to highlight our Random Acts of Cop Kindness (RACKD) outreach program. Every month, you’ll find us spreading kindness across all corners of our incredible city.
RACKD includes purchasing things like groceries and gas for people, but our message that accompanies the gesture is more important.
We use this program to remind people that the good things they do matter, that they are not defined by the hardships of life, and that together we can make Anchorage a better place by doing good.
Sgt. Jon Butler shared, “During one RACKD event, officers were at the Carrs on Northern Lights and Minnesota when we met a father and his daughter. As they placed items on the conveyor belt, we approached them and inserted our credit card into the reader. I noticed the 11-year-old had an apprehensive look as we walked up to them. Their puzzled expressions quickly turned into surprise when we told them we would pay for their groceries.
We explained that we appreciated them for all the good things they do that often go unnoticed and encouraged them to keep helping others. The 11-year-old, with wide eyes and mouth open, looked up at her dad and exclaimed she couldn’t believe it. As her dad smiled and agreed, she asked him to bend down. In the purest, most genuine way, she kissed him on the cheek. Then, looking back at us with tears welling in her eyes, she said, ‘Thank you, I feel special.’
At another event, officers were at the Walmart in Midtown, where they met three kind women. Detective Joe Ruble shared, ‘We noticed the women had several items in their cart. As they placed them on the conveyor belt, we approached and inserted our credit card into the reader. The women looked confused, but as we smiled and explained that we would pay for their items, their confusion turned into gratitude and relief.
They told us they were the main coordinators for a local rehabilitation center and had come to the store to purchase small gift bags for the residents—tokens of encouragement to remind them that they matter and are loved. They went on to explain that funding is always difficult to secure and that our gesture meant they could allocate those funds to other critical needs. Smiling, they expressed their appreciation for being recognized for the good work they do that often goes unnoticed and for showing love to those struggling with addiction.’
We encourage everyone to help others through their random acts of kindness. And if you see us at your local store, please stop and say, ‘hi!’”
How can you help?
If you're interested in donating resources to support this program and others like it, please complete the form below for more information.