‘Such an impact on a young person’: Jake and Spike praise Everett PD’s noble gesture

Olivia Park Elementary’s fifth-grade camping trip almost came to a halt when they could not gather enough chaperones for their annual Camp Killoque field trip.

Everett Police Department (EPD) officers came to the kids’ rescue—volunteering their time to accompany the fifth-grade class on their trip.

Jake and Spike, co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, commended the officers involved for their commitment to public service and leadership.

Everett PD saves the day

“[Olivia Park Elementary] reached out to the Everett police, and they talked to different officers, and said, ‘Does anybody want to volunteer? We can’t pay you to volunteer as chaperones.’ Four cops stepped up, they said we want to chaperone this for you guys, and we want to make sure these kids get to go,” Jake said.

Everett school counselor Stacy Goody recounted previous years when the students came close to missing the field trip due to a lack of male chaperons, according to FOX 13.

“I’m sure it’s tough to get time off and chaperone at camp,” Spike said. “It’s a luxury to have the time available to donate and be a volunteer. I’m sure if every dad could get the time away to go, who wouldn’t want to spend three days in the woods chaperoning a bunch of kids? I remember my field trips when I was in fifth grade; they make such an impact on a young person.”

Goody said the field trip is an event the children of Olivia Park Elementary look forward to all year long, according to FOX 13.

“I’m not trying to be critical of the dads who couldn’t get out of work. I’m just saying it’s hard. Two years in a row, the fifth graders almost had to skip this because the dads couldn’t step up and find a way to get there,” Jake said.

FOX 13 noted the Everett neighborhood is a high-crime area, and the trip is a wonderful opportunity to get a breath of fresh air.

“And what a pretty great way for young people to see the police, law enforcement in general, in a much more positive light than they’re often portrayed,” Spike said.

Wade Wyrick, an officer with the EPD, said it is important for kids to see officers in a casual setting, without a badge or uniform, according to FOX 13.

“That’s awesome. So fantastic. And God bless these officers, I think these guys are saints,” Jake said.

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.