Cape Coral kids recognized for ‘doing the right thing’

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Several Cape Coral kids were awarded for “doing the right thing” Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s just a positive event we do for them, and to recognize what they’re doing, and to provide them the reinforcement they need to continue doing the right thing for the rest of their life,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Bart Connelly.

Each student’s story was different; while some helped out others, or turned in lost money, one young girl was awarded for her reaction when she was approached by a stranger.

“We had a stranger danger at our bus stop,” explained Ebony Cook.

Last month, a strange man approached Cook’s friend at the bus stop. The suspect asked her to get in his car and she said no. The girl told her friends, who stayed with her at the bus stop, and they immediately told the bus driver when she arrived.

The kids then went one step further when they saw the suspect’s car at a nearby gas station.

“So Breanna took her phone and took video of the car,” said Cook, and the video was handed over to police.

“I just don’t want that to happen to other people that I know, that really wouldn’t know what to do and then they get in the car with them,” said Cole Parker who was there that day.

“It chokes ya up,” said Rich Parker, Cole’s dad. “I’m very proud of him, I’m proud of all the kids with the way they acted.”