Upper Allen Township Police Officer Mark Sanguinito responded to complaints regarding a local lemonade stand. The resulting interaction was more sweet than tangy. (Photo courtesy Upper Allen Township Police)
UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP — What started as a call to police about a neighborhood lemonade stand turned into a heartwarming moment of community connection.
Chief Andrew Parsons reports that the Upper Allen Township Police Department received a complaint from a resident regarding a child’s lemonade stand on Sunday, July 27.
The 911 caller reported that kids were selling lemonade “too close to the road.” The anonymous caller told dispatch that the lemonade peddlers were “being annoying and a nuisance.”
Upper Allen Township Police Officer Mark Sanguinito, who was recently chosen to become the Department and Mechanicsburg Area School District’s new District Resource Officer (DRO), responded.
Finding no actionable infractions, Officer Sanguinito sampled the lemonade and took a selfie. The Department turned the heartwarming community interaction into a viral social media post.
“Thank you to ‘Mrs. Anonymous’ for calling to complain about a kids’ lemonade stand,” Upper Allen Police posted online. “We responded and enjoyed a refreshing cup while making some new friends!”
The response to the post has been overwhelmingly positive. Although police found this particular complaint to be unfounded, the Department encourages residents to reach out with concerns.
“We investigate every concern and complaint the Department receives,” said Chief Parsons. “However, when we discover a well-meaning and ambitious youngster out in our community aiming to provide refreshing beverages to passersby, our response is to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit.”
Officer Sanguinito was chosen to fill the DRO position following a joint selection process involving both the Police Department and School District. Starting this school year, he’ll be a steady presence at Upper Allen Elementary, Shepherdstown Elementary and Mechanicsburg Middle School.
“Officer Sanguinito’s ongoing mission will be to connect with the youth in our community,” said Chief Parsons. “He’s clearly off to an amazing start.”
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