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If it Plays in Peoria •••
BY JIM FROST Move over McGruff, Seemore the Eagle is in Peoria. A large feathery crime fighting bald eagle, Seemore, is the mascot for the Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch Program. He made his Peoria debut when he swooped into Glen Oak Park three summers ago. He's been playing to rave reviews ever since. In 2000, then Attorney General Jim Ryan helped kick off the program in Peoria saying, "I think it's important to have a safe place for children to play." That's what Seemore is all about. Based on a program designed by the Oak Lawn Park District, the neighborhood park watch program is geared toward the community, with help from the Peoria Park District Police, to promote safety and deter crime in the city's parks. The program seeks to create awareness of activities in the parks; instill strong park, recreation and conservation values in children; and encourage kids to become responsible citizens. It also helps develop a sense of "ownership" of the neighborhood parks and facilities, which results in making the public feel proud and safe. Under the program, eagle-eyed neighbors and park users watch out for broken equipment, vandalism or any suspicious activity in the parks. When something is amiss, they report it to the proper authorities. Seemore brings this message to people with fun and flair. Each year, at Peoria's family night at the parks, the district rolls out the grill and serves hotdogs, burgers, chips and sodas to the park's neighbors. Seemore does his part, dancing with Park Police Officer Jim Frost, posing for pictures with children and speaking with adults. He shows up anytime there is a crowd at the park district: Back to School Night, Old Fashioned Sunday at Glen Oak Park and the 4th of July festivities with 30,000 of his closest friends. But he's good one-on-one, too. Along with Officer Frost, Seemore goes door-to-door to visit people who live near the parks. Officer Frost explains the benefits of Eagle Eye, and Seemore hands out pencils, stickers and pamphlets explaining the program. Seemore has other duties in Peoria. He assists the Peoria Park Police with their "KIDZ ID" program, spearheaded by Officer Henry Garcia. Seemore entertains the children while Garcia helps parents fill out ID cards for them. The ID cards are free and contain the child's name, height, weight and a thumbprint along with a laminated picture. Eagle Eye couldn't exist without volunteers, the hard work of the Peoria Park District's Auxiliary Police, a local Explorer post and, in some cases, a relative or two. "I couldn't function without these people," says Frost. "The Auxiliary and Explorers put on this suit and entertain kids, and my son, Joshua, has loved it, even though it was 100 degrees in the suit." Soon, Seemore will be playing in more parks throughout Illinois and the country. The programs goal is to be the national symbol of preventing criminal activity in parks. During a meeting at the Illinois Association of Park Districts in Springfield, Chief Mark Johnson from the Illinois Parks Law Enforcement Association presented the IAPD with an award recognizing the effectiveness of the program. The old saying holds true. If it plays in Peoria, it's good enough to hit the big time.
JIM FROST
July/August 2003 | 11 |
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