Methuen Police Department’s Community Policing Division hit the streets last month with Operation Freeze Patrol, its police-manned ice cream truck.
The unit visited several parks and neighborhoods throughout the city, giving out several types of ice cream including favorites like Bomb Pops, Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches, strawberry and chocolate éclair bars, and more.\
Their first – and biggest – stop was on Haverhill Street where they served over 200 children from the Methuen YMCA day camp. The truck also made stops at Butternut Lane, Hill and Landmark streets, the Marsh School playground, DeGaspe Park on Mystic Street, the Gill Avenue Park, Homestead Acres, the CGS playground, Veterans Park on Milk Street, Colonial Village, the St. Lucy’s Church parking lot and finally ending late afternoon at Methuen High’s Nicholson Stadium.
Community Policing Officer Brandon LaFlamme estimated they passed out nearly 800 free ice cream treats throughout the city.
“It’s always a great time meeting the children and seeing the smiles when they get an ice cream,” he said.
LaFlamme was joined by Community Policing Officers Mark Aiello, Aaron Little and Felicia Bistany. Officers Bistany and Little rode along in “Hope,” the pink police cruiser, which is always a hit with the children.
Happy to get an ice cream and jump in the truck with Officers Aiello and Litte are (from left) Brandon Cho, 6, and siblings Isla, 4, and Noah MacDonald, 6.
At the Marsh School stop, (front) Lucas Urbaez, 10, Marcus Trela, 10, and Alexa Urbaez, 7, enjoyed their ice cream while siblings Matty, 5, and Blake Silva, 3, were entertained inside the truck with Officers LaFlamme and Aiello.
Over at DeGaspe Park on Mystic Street, Mikey Pavone, 5, had a blast inside the truck with Officers LaFlamme and Aiello while sisters Arianna, 12, Bella, 13, and Janelle Wahinya, 7, show the icy treats they picked out.
