A group of Norman police officers will serve drinks instead of search warrants Saturday to raise money for Special Olympics.
The annual Cops and Lobsters fund-raiser is sponsored by the Norman Police Department and Red Lobster of Norman, which will provide the "cops" and "lobsters," respectively.
Police officers will volunteer their time at the restaurant in two shifts Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The officers will greet guests and help refill beverages, leaving envelopes on each table for donations.
Kim Hoppers, special events coordinator for the Special Olympics office in Oklahoma City, said the restaurant raised $1,615 in donations and another $110 in merchandise sales last year. Money raised at this year's event will support the cost of the Special Olympics on May 14-16 in Stillwater, Hoppers said.
Participating athletes will only need to pay for transportation to and lodging at the event. Costs for the competition are funded through donations like those to be taken Saturday.
However, not just the athletes benefit from the event, said Jerry Thompson, general manager of Red Lobster.
"A lot of people are raised to fear police," Thompson said. "(Cops and Lobsters) really breaks down those barriers between police and the community to where the officer is just another person."
Jennifer Newell, NPD community relations officer, said she enjoyed talking to people in the community one-on-one and was glad to volunteer two hours of her time to benefit a good cause.
Barry Switzer, former OU and Dallas Cowboys head football coach, will be a special guest greeter Saturday evening. The restaurant has also attempted to arrange for appearances by Sports Animal radio commentator Al Eschbach and former Olympic gymnast Bart Conner, but it has not confirmed those agreements, said Ben Hendon, service manager.
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