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Police propose no-cost calendar fundraiser and children's coloring book to boost community policing
Summary
The Winnsboro Police Department sought council authorization for Law Enforcement Partners to solicit ad sales for a no-cost 2026 calendar and provide free coloring books and stickers; department said there is no cost to the city and revenue would be designated for specific department programs.
The Winnsboro Police Department presented a proposed fundraising partnership with Law Enforcement Partners at the May 1 council meeting and asked the council to sign a letter authorizing the vendor to solicit advertisements within the city. Assistant Chief Sam Aaron described the effort as a community-policing outreach that would include a 2026 calendar, free coloring books (250 copies) and 250 stickers for distribution to children.
Sam Aaron said the program would cost the city nothing up front and that vendors selling ad space would provide a portion of proceeds to the department. “Each sponsor … would get 50 calendars and then they would also bring 50 calendars to the PD that we would be able to hand out to the public,” Sam Aaron said, adding that ad prices range from about $250 to $750. He said the vendor provided references from nearby departments and that Kaufman PD reported a positive experience.
Staff said the program would require a simple authorization letter allowing Law Enforcement Partners to solicit ads. The department described possible uses for proceeds (examples included National Night Out or canine program) and said the department would need to designate intended uses before funds were accepted.
Council asked about revenue estimates and how much past campaigns raised; Sam Aaron said he had not yet obtained a total-raise figure from reference agencies. One local business owner in the audience expressed support and said he expected to buy an ad.
No formal council action was required that evening; staff said they would return with the authorization letter if the council wished to proceed.
Topic provenance: presentation and Q&A under agenda item 7.1 in the transcript.
