Police Chief inspires scouts to excel

By Lowry Manders

The Girl Scouts of America had a very successful event this week for Service Unit 165. It was their first ever speaker event kickoff with Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall for the unit’s “3C’” Summer Book Club. 

The idea behind this event and the book club is to hold up true female role models for girl scoutsscouts — not “superstars” like Chloe Kardashian, who are famous for no good reason. Rather, the event focuses on strong women the scouts may not have heard of or learned about, women who display “courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place.” That is the Girl Scout mission. Chief Hall is the first female police chief in the 139-year history of the Dallas Police Department. 

Also attending the event was Northeast Dallas area Sergeant Stonaker, also a strong role model. Troop 7802 led the flag ceremony. More than 200 people from 40 troops attended. 

The Girl Scout super cookie sellers presented the sergeant with boxes of GS Cookies to share with neighborhood officers. The top seller, Marley Braxton, introduced Chief Hall. After the speech, Ellie Manders (another super-seller, and neighbor to Chief Hall), presented Chief Hall with a 3 C’s T-shirt and a GS pin, making her an honorary Girl Scout. 

The Chief said she was “thrilled” with the honor. Afterwards, the scouts lined up to ask Chief Hall questions, and she graciously answered them all. The best one was, “Why do all police officers like donuts?” Then she stayed to pose for pictures in a “photo booth” with troops. The chief’s kindness inspired all in attendance.