Heading into the summer, the Powell Police Department hoped a new trading card program would provide an opportunity for officers to interact with local youth in a fun, meaningful way. It turned out to be “a tremendous success,” the department says.

Between mid-May and mid-August, officers had hundreds of interactions with young people and handed out nearly 3,000 cards.

The glossy cards featured a stylized image of a Powell officer on the front and a prize donated by a local business on the back. They were intended as a reward for youths who were seen wearing a helmet while biking or otherwise practicing good safety.

“This program was built around more than just trading cards: It was built around building trust,” said Officer Trevor Carpenter, who serves as a school resource officer. He said it gave youth a chance to talk with officers and learn safety tips.

Kids also got to enjoy well over $15,000 worth of prizes — ranging from miniature footballs to donuts to pizzas — donated by more than two dozen local businesses. That was on top of donated helmets that were provided to every K-5 student at the start of the summer.

Westside Elementary School physical education teacher Luke Robertson, who spearheaded the effort, has said basically every business he approached made a contribution.

“This program reminds us that when we work together — youth, families, teachers, law enforcement and local businesses — we create a stronger, safer and more connected Powell,” Carpenter said in a video posted to Facebook.

The program ended with the start of the new school year, culminating in a raffle for two bicycles and two skateboards. However, the department still has more than 950 of the original 3,900 cards on hand, and Carpenter hopes they’ll be able to hand those out next summer.