WPD: Scruffiness with a purpose; raising funds for CCYC

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WILMINGTON — If you’ve taken a close look at some of Wilmington’s police officers this month, you’ll notice some look a little scruffier than usual. There’s a very good reason for that.

Starting after Christmas, the Wilmington Police Department’s policy on facial hair has been amended to allow officers to grow them out until February. In return, each participating officer has donated $50 to the Clinton County Youth Council. The money raised for CCYC will assist them in paying bills and helping with any expenses.

Police Chief Duane Weyand said he continues to be impressed with the outreach going on and that Eric Guidon, CCYC’s program director, has done a wonderful job.

The CCYC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located at 302 W. Sugartree St. Their mission is to “help youth make healthy choices” by providing free after-school academic support, education programming, and positive youth outreach programs.

Officer Tyler Binkley said about half the department has taken part in this and they’ve been receiving positive feedback from the community.

“A lot of people will come up and ask about or say ‘I didn’t know you guys could grow beards’ and we’ll tell them why and they’ll say, ‘Oh that’s nice!’” said Binkley.

Officer Tyler Johnson said that any amount of funds given by community members to the CCYC helps provide a great service.

“They don’t charge kids anything,” said Johnson. “It’s really impressive.”

Both officers expressed they will be sad to see their beards go, but they’re happy to see the money go to something worthy — and they’d be up for doing it again.

If anyone wishes to assist CCYC, donations can be mailed to their address or by visiting www.ccyouthcoucil.org or Facebook/1CCYC.

Left to right, Sgt. Ron Fithen, Chief Det. Josh Riley, and Patrol Officers Matthew Hamilton and Tyler Binkley grew their beards out — and even Dispatcher Hanna Johnson joined the fun with a beard knitted by fellow Dispatcher Beth Tolliver.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/01/web1_beards-1.jpgLeft to right, Sgt. Ron Fithen, Chief Det. Josh Riley, and Patrol Officers Matthew Hamilton and Tyler Binkley grew their beards out — and even Dispatcher Hanna Johnson joined the fun with a beard knitted by fellow Dispatcher Beth Tolliver. John Hamilton | News Journal
Beards equal funds for CCYC

By John Hamilton

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