LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Lieutenant Mike Szpak

The Candy Police were a great success last night!
It was that spooky time of year again when all the little ghouls and goblins were running amuck in search of the best candy! Well, thankfully the Candy Police were back and ready to make sure everyone was able to enjoy Trick-or-Treating in Loveland.

The Loveland Police Department and the Hamilton Township Police Department worked together last night to bring joy and of course candy to any kids or adults with special needs who couldn’t physically go trick-or-treating.

Both police departments said that they wanted to make sure Halloween was a special day for not just the kids with special needs but the adults as well!

Thank you everyone who donated! Thank you to the officers who serve us so faithfully.

A message from the Loveland Police Department

The Candy Police was a great success last night!!
Officer Hayslip, Officer Smith and I want to thank the kids & adults with special needs and their parents for sharing their Halloween night with us!
As a father and grandfather of kids with special needs, it was such a joy to include them. We can’t wait to see you again next year!
A huge thanks to Officers Molly Hayslip and Rich Smith from Hamilton Township Police Department for making this successful!
Thank you also to everyone that donated candy, especially Loveland Striped Might Robotics and the Cincinnati Elite Girls 2009 Soccer Team!
– Lieutenant Mike Szpak

Photos from the Departments Facebook Page:
Nov 1, 2020
The Candy Police are Back!

Candy Police will be on duty on October 31st

Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – It’s that spooky time of year again when all the little ghouls and goblins are running amuck in search of the best candy! Well, thankfully the Candy Police are back and ready to make sure EVERYONE is able to enjoy Trick-or-Treating in Loveland!

The Loveland Police Department and the Hamilton Township Police Department will be working together this Halloween in order to bring joy and of course candy to any kids or adults with special needs who can’t physically go trick-or-treating. Could Loveland get any sweeter?!

Trick or Treat’s a go in Loveland

Both police departments said that they want to make sure Halloween is a special day for not just the kids with special needs but the adults as well!

If you have a loved one who loves Halloween but is unable to Trick-or-Treat due to a disability and lives in the City of Loveland or Hamilton Township, please contact Lieutenant Mike Szpak at 513-707-6116 or through email at mszpak@lovelandoh.gov. Whether you decide to call or email Lt. Szpak, please include your name, your loved one’s name, the address you would like candy delivered to, and a phone number that you can be reached at.

The Candy Police will do their best to schedule all visits between 6 PM and 8 PM on October 31st but may have to adjust the hours due to high demand.

Unfortunately, the police departments are not able to consider the Coronavirus as a special need or disability.

Want to help the Candy Police spread Halloween spirit successfully throughout Loveland?! Please contact Lieutenant Szpak to donate any deliciously creepy treats to the Candy Police Program.

Be safe Loveland and have a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Oct 23, 2020
Loveland Schools Robotics Team Supported Loveland Police Department inclusion efforts for Halloween

“Loveland FTC Lego Team Striped Might, their coaches Anna Macura and Jay Frazier, and mentors Joanna Reese, Brayden Watts, and Ally Oh, created candy bags – including special robot candy – for the LPD’s efforts to make Halloween in Loveland inclusive of all, especially those who are restricted by disabilities. Inclusion is a core value of the FIRST Robotics program.”

During his hour-long visit with Striped Might, Lt. Szpak took the opportunity to demonstrate the technology he uses on the job.

Loveland, Ohio – On Halloween, the Loveland Police Department (LPD) took candy to the homes of children and adults in the Loveland community who were unable to trick-or-treat due to a disability. It was part of the LPD’s effort to include those who otherwise would not be able to participate and make Halloween special for them, too. Loveland Middle School FIRSTLego Robotics team “Striped Might” met with Lieutenant Mike Szpak last Sunday evening to share their supply of candy and gifts to be distributed. Striped Might is a rookie team with rookie coaches – Anna Macura and Jay Frazier – rising up to the challenge of FIRSTRobotics.

Grant, one of more than a hundred students in grades 2-12 involved in robotics at Loveland Schools, showed his work to Lt. Szpak.

“Robotics is not just about the BOT,” said Joanna Reese. “Inclusion is a core value of the robotics program and this is a wonderful way for us to share that with our community.” Reese is a member of the Bionic Tigers, one of two FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics teams at Loveland High School, and serves as a mentor for the younger members of Striped Might.

Lt. Szpak spent about an hour with the team members during their Sunday practice at Loveland Middle School. At the end of the visit, the team was invited to help deliver any Halloween leftover candy to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.

Nov 1, 2019