The Book Cops of Delaware

Master Cpl. Gary Tabor of the Wilmington, Delaware police department had been in plenty of homes during his time in the major crimes unit and he realized there was at least one common denominator – the lack of books in the home.

Then he heard about the correlation between books in the home and higher graduation rates from high school and the light went on and “The Book ‘Em Cops and Kids Literacy Initiative” was born.

Since the program began almost 6,000 books have been distributed for free and for many of the kids it is the first book they ever owned!

Proactive policing at its finest and really good to see.

The program which started with Tabor now includes 20 officers. The books are donated by the community including 1,000 of which were recently collected in a book drive by a local elementary school. 

Story, with video, at delaware online