Acting Bristol Borough Police Sergeant Chuck Palmer was listening carefully to his 23 year-old daughter Emily not to long ago.

She noticed a change in him, she said, and it was time for the proverbial father-daughter talk.

What came out that all important conversation was a reminder for Palmer about the important things in Bristol.

“The kids,” he said.

And on a blazing hot day, kids from every corner of the Borough fished with officers from the Police Department in the 2nd Annual Fish with a Cop event.

Sponsored by the Police Benevolent Association the event took place at the Delaware Canal Lagoon Saturday afternoon.

Palmer, said the result of the conversation is in part the reason the Fishing with a Cop event will be one of the many events the Police and its union will sponsor for the borough’s children.

It’s really important for the kids to know they can come to us anytime with any questions…including about= fishing  he said

About three dozen kids with family members came out to fish in the canal while live music played and artists face painting any number of kids and was catered by the King George II Inn for free.

Now named in honor of popular  Mill Street business owner Brian Adams of Trainpops Attic, who passed away in 2021 after a long bout with cancer Palmer said fishing has always been a big part of how he’s tried to relax.

Palmer at the March Bristol Borough Council meeting expressed the police departments desire to initiate a mentoring effort that would include officers meeting with kids,

Discussions for such an effort are ongoing, he said, we hope to have something in place in the fall, he said.

Every child who fished  Saturday earned a prize which were an array of fishing related supplies plus they got to keep all the fishing equipment provided that day.

I grew up here. Giving kids opportunities to do different things, like fishing, is what kept me out of trouble, Palmer said.

Parents throughout the day thanked Palmer and fellow officers for “being here for the kids.”

Bristol Police Chief Joe Moors said officers interacting with the community, kids especially, is a fundamental part of proactive community engagement and its something he and the department are committed to.