Ridgefield parkgoers may spot colorful, hand-painted rocks hidden throughout the city after the return of Rocks with Cops.
Overlook Park saw a strong turnout on May 30 as residents gathered for the free community event to paint rocks to keep, share or hide around Ridgefield.
The Ridgefield Police Department, together with the Ridgefield Art Association and Kindness 911, hosted the event for participants of all ages. Its return marked the revival of a popular community tradition after a years-long hiatus.
Rocks with Cops had not been held for several years after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted public events. Interim Lt. Andrew Marvitz said the event was originally created by Ridgefield Police Chief Cathy Doriot and had been a popular community tradition before it was put on hold.
Marvitz said community members had continued asking about the event's return in recent years.
“We've had a lot of public interest … because it was a pretty popular event, so we had a lot of requests for it, and it was always a fun event,” Marvitz said. “We’re excited to bring her back this year.”
Families filled tables across Overlook Park from 10 a.m. to noon, showing strong support for the event’s return.
Officer Kaylin Debiak, who joined the Ridgefield Police Department in 2022 and helped organize this year's event, said community-bridging is one of her favorite parts of the job.
“I love community outreach and community policing,” Debiak said. “This kind of thing is my jam, so anytime I can put something like this on, I jump at the opportunity.”
In addition to events including Healthy Kids Day and local bike safety programs, Debiak works with the Police Activities League in local schools, where officers visit classrooms and interact with students.
“There's no better community than the community that we serve here, I truly love Ridgefield,” she said. “I'm hoping some of my students make it out today because I just, I love seeing them outside of the classroom.”
Debiak said the event shows Ridgefield’s connection to its parks and outdoor spaces, while giving participants a chance to make something fun for others to find.
“I know that whenever I go out into a park and my kids, I see the joy that they find when they find a rock and it's special to them,” she said. “I have them all over my house, so I think it's unique to Ridgefield because we are really into our parks and wildlife areas,” Debiak said.
Members of the Ridgefield Art Association created sample rocks and assisted families and children throughout the event, helping to inspire participants.
Artist Merrilee Asla Lee said the partnership shows that Ridgefield has strong support for both the arts and youth programs.
“Anybody can do art,” she said. “Just pick up your paints or your threads, whatever it is you like to work in, and just give yourself freedom to go do it.”
Lee said the collaboration between local organizations made the event especially meaningful.
“It's a perfect blend of community and the arts,” Lee said.
Organizers hope the successful return of Rocks with Cops will help reestablish it as a regular tradition for the Ridgefield community in the years ahead.
