MPD officer’s jump-rope routine goes ‘viral’

MPD officer’s jump-rope routine goes ‘viral’

Jackson video with local kids gets hits online

news@theeveningtimes.com

At first glance those houses looked like Marion.

That Tahoe with the red and blue swoosh and the city seal on the back looked like a Marion patrol vehicle too. Then that uniform, the baby blue over navy, sure looked like a Marion police issue. And sure enough it was.

You've seen this kind of video from other places, of other policemen, doing other activities go viral.

You know the format by now. Some patrolmen stop and shoot some hoops with kids playing in the street.

Everybody ends up all smiles and the cops made the day for everyone on the block. Old timers comment on the video, reminiscing when patrolman got out and walked a beat, around the small town square shops. Some see a video like this and are romantically transported back to Mayberry and police officers that were known by name in the community.

Now comes a new contribution to the feelings about all that's right with policing from Marion Officer Eric D. Jackson. With more spins and twists than a Michael Jackson video, our Jackson, one of Marion's finest, has a Facebook video of jumping rope in a driveway to the squeals of delights from at least one local girl and a small crowd. Just when it couldn't get any better, Jackson Grabs the reigns and goes solo.

By Marion standards, with an official population of 12,345, the video had gone viral by the first day of Spring Break, with 7,350 views by Monday afternoon.

Sheriff Mike Allen took notice and reposted the video casting kudos to the kangaroo cop.

“Great job MPD,” said Allen. “It's all about the community. Our Children are the future. Over 7,350 views, not too shabby.”

Channel Five saw a golden opportunity to spread some golden rule jump rope romping and the good news felling, and then a little while later 51,000 had seen the ups and downs of personal police work.

You know grandmas and their brag books have gone to a whole new level commenting on social media video.

“That's my granddaughter working the jump rope,” posted Madelyn Keith.

Asked “are these your girls,” Monica Millsap claimed the kids, too.

“Yep, they love “the jump roping policeman,” said Millsap.

The whole community jumped into praise the city's new favorite flat foot. “Our community needs 100 like him <3 ,” wrote June Chamberlain (that ‘greater than’ sign and number 3 make a heart, in case you’re not up to snuff on text-speak).

“That makes me smile,” said Jamie Brothers.

Tony Wilson works with youth in the community everyday at the Hype House right next door to the police station. Wilson said the time and attention paid to the youngsters on the street in the video is not just one time hype but is typical of Jackson.

“Good Example,” said Wilson. “The friendliest on the force. Often stops by the Hype House to chat with our kids. Thanks for all you do.”

Some anonymous praise was posted too testifying to the consistent character displayed not only by officer Jackson but his brothers in the powder blue too. The praise came from an adoptive mother who indicated her kids came to her frightened of policeman. She said their flight response was way up and all they wanted to do was hide from cops seen in public, but that all changed because of Jackson.

“My kids had an encounter with you and your fellow officers at Shake Shack that changed them,” wrote the contributor. “See we adopted them out of foster care. When we were blessed to get them, their view of officers was there's a policeman– you better hide or he will take you away. One day at Shake Shack you guys came in and my oldest daughter looked at me and her dad with worry on her face. You smiled at her and asked her if she was enjoying her burger. When you were done we were just starting to eat our ice cream. And you stopped by and asked them what kind they had and they happily told you.

We have seen you and your brothers at Shake Shack several times since and then you all always smile at them. Simple gestures made a huge difference in how they view officers.”

Now everyone has had a pleasant view of this officer via social media. All said and done Jackson's scored a ‘Perfect 10’ for his good nature and the positive people skills but gave he gave it a sincere awe shucks.

“Thank you,” replied Jackson yesterday after lunchtime Monday. “This all means more to me than you will ever know.”

Those close to him roped many high-flying praises, not only for him personally but he also scored high marks lassoing some muchneeded positive police department public relations.

So you've missed out on the whole social media mania? Check this link. It may be the best 60 seconds of your day: https://www.facebook.com/ OfficerEricDJackson/?fref= ts

By John Rech