Sunrise Rotary and Marco Police Restart Kops Program

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise confirmed today that the KOPS program has been restarted with the Marco Island Police Department under Chief Tracy Frazzano. The KOPS program was established by Sunrise Rotary to reimburse police officers for purchases made to meet immediate needs of the community. When a police officer sees someone in need and goes out of pocket to assist, the program provides reimbursement. The Sunrise Rotary annual budget for the program is $1,000, but community donations will be accepted and applied to increase available funds.

Sunrise Rotary President Bill Morris explained the process. “An officer spending money to assist our community simply makes an application to Chief Frazzano and the Chief then forwards the application to us. Our Club does not review the application and even the Chief does not review unless the request is more than $100. We trust the judgment of the police officer submitting the request.”

The first reimbursements for 2022 were made at Sunrise Rotary’s recent morning meeting. Lieutenant Matt Gallup found a family broken down on their luck and their vehicle. They needed to get to Fort Myers and their car was overheated. Officer Gallup bought and provided antifreeze and helped the family fill their radiator so they could get home.

In his position as school resource officer, Officer George Guyer is perhaps better situated than most to recognize families in particular need. Officer Guyer became aware of one family that was really struggling. To help the children, he bought each of the two girls dresses and shoes and not wanting their little brother to feel left out bought the boy a toy police car. The girls did not have shoes that fit until Officer Guyer helped.

Lieutenant Gallup and Officer Guyer were reimbursed for their kindness. Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise will continue the KOPS program on a year-to-year basis and hope the community will financially support the program as well. For more information about the KOPS program or Sunrise Rotary please contact Bill Morris, wgm@wwgmorrislaw.com or visit www.marcoislandsunriserotary.org.