Skate with a Cop event a winner in Washougal

Sgt. Kyle Kinnan is a good sport and a brave police officer, allowing youngsters to give him tips on a skateboard

WASHOUGAL — It started when the founders of Lunch Money Indoor Skate Park attended a Coffee with a Cop event at a local Starbucks.

An idea was born.

Rochelle Ramos, who founded the indoor skate park with John Henriksen, thought it would be great to have a get-together with area police officers, but geared toward the youth.

Friday night, it happened.

Skate with a Cop.

Sgt. Kyle Kinnan of the Washougal Police Department showed up to Lunch Money to show off all of his skills as a skateboarder, and dabbled a bit on a scooter, as well.

Oh, did we mention that Kyle Kinnan’s skill set was minimal at best?

Earlier in the week, he got a couple of tips from Henriksen. Other than that, he said he’s been on a skateboard maybe three times his whole life.

No problem.

“The chief had asked if anyone knew how to skateboard and would want to skate with the kids,” Kinnan said. “Nobody knew how and so I volunteered to come be a guinea pig and maybe see if the kids can teach me a thing or two. Mainly, just to have fun, interact with the kids, and give them a good laugh or two.”

The first thing Kinnan attempted after a tip or two from a youngster did not go as planned. He landed on his backside.

“We’ll see how much my body can handle,” he said.

“Amazingly supportive,” Ramos said of the community’s reaction to skate with a cop. Ramos also is the mayor of Washougal.

“They’re thanking us for doing this. They want us to do this on a regular basis. They appreciate what we’re doing with the funding.”

All who showed up paid $5 and that money will go toward free passes to Lunch Money. Those passes will be handed out by police officers to youth in the community. It can be for a good deed. Or maybe an officer will see a young person who could use “a place to interact with others in a positive way,” Ramos said.

This first Skate with a Cop event was rushed a bit, Ramos acknowledged, but it was a success. She said the indoor skate park will definitely look at having similar nights in the future. 

Kinnan has time to sharpen his skills. Or maybe find some more padding to wear the next time.