LINN — During a lively discussion at the Linn Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, Police Chief Sam Ford announced that the department would not actively participate in a “Hide & Seek from the Cops” event advertised on Facebook.

Chief Ford confirmed when asked by Alderman Chris Jaegers that he had seen the event on Facebook.

Called “Hide and Seek from the Police,” the event is scheduled for the evening of Oct. 30. Participants will be charged $10 per person to participate, with the money going towards Project Graduation 2027 and Shop with a Hero.

“The mayor had called me about this and asked if I knew anything about it, and I had only seen it on Facebook the day before,” Ford said. “We had a meeting with the organizer today. Come to find out, they have already had a meeting with Sheriff (Mike) Bonham, and Bonham thinks it’s a fabulous idea. The organizers took that to mean that the Linn PD was in as well. I brought up the possible risk factors. With a recent increase in things that are happening in Linn, it is a good place for a cop to get shanghaied.”

“Someone is going to get shot,” Alderman Dustin Flamm agreed.

“I brought up those concerns, and they said the cops would have a dayglow armband,” Ford continued. “So great, they might as well put a flashing light on our heads. I love the idea community-wise, but I have safety concerns. The rules say you can’t hide on private property, but you know they will.”

The event will take place throughout the city of Linn, from Thriftway to Three Rivers Electric.

Mayor Mike Troesser asked if the event was still happening. “Oh, it’s happening,” Ford said. “The sheriff has already approved it.”

Ford was asked if the Linn Police Department was going to participate.

“We are going to have to participate,” Ford said. “The organizer thinks a one-page waiver is going to protect everyone. What if you have a kid dressed in black and he pulls out a cell phone and the light glints off it just right and the cops see something shiny and black. I don’t want anyone shooting a kid.”

“Not to mention we are teaching our kids to hide from the cops,” said City Clerk Carrie Grellner.

“Someone is going to get shot,” Flamm repeated. “How do we stop it?”

“Sheriff Bonham has already said he is participating,” Alderman Steve Boeckmann said.

“This should have been approved by the city before it was advertised,”  Jaegers said.

“It was never approved by anyone,” Troesser said. “Are we going to allow our police department to participate? I don’t care what has been posted on Facebook.”

Alderman Bill Turner asked exactly how the Lin Police Department was being asked to participate.

“To neglect all of their other duties and to go look for some kids that are hiding from them,” Flamm said.

“While they are on duty?” Turner asked.

Several people in the meeting responded with a loud yes.

“No, no, no,” Turner said.

“That’s taxpayer dollars we’re spending,” said Flamm, who started to make a motion that would prohibit the Linn Police Department from participating in the Hide and Seek from the Cops event on Oct. 30.

Chief Ford stopped anyone from making a second on the motion.

“I don’t need the board for this,” Ford said. “I am the Chief of Police, and I say we don’t participate in an active manner. We will absolutely patrol, and I will put on several additional officers for the night.”