Whale Cove (Mar 03/04) - Every second Saturday evening, the smell of fresh popcorn fills the Whale Cove RCMP detachment building.

The building is also filled with the smiling faces of about 50 kids who come out to enjoy a night at the movies.

For many of those gathered, this is their only experience with viewing a movie on the big screen.

For Cpl. Chris Willis and Const. James Peck, it's community outreach.

"The movie gives the kids somewhere to go and something to do, especially in the cold weather we've been having," said Willis.

The officers arrive at the detachment early in the afternoon to temporarily transform the building into a small movie house.

A computer projector displays images from a DVD onto the wall, while a stereo is set up to pipe out the sound.

With audio and video taken care of, they move on to prepare the snacks they offer as part of the movie event.

The shows require a great deal of work, but Willis says it's well worth the effort.

"It gives kids the chance to see us in a different light," says Willis.

"It helps them to get to know us, and us them, which makes kids feel more comfortable approaching us."

A rousing success

The officers also take the opportunity of having 50 kids gathered in the building to pass on information relevant to their lives.

They screen short films about outdoor safety, substance abuse, domestic violence and ATV safety before the feature presentation.

Peck says many of the kids arrive early and even offer to stay late to help the officers clean up.

"We have kids calling our houses every weekend wanting to know if there's a movie," says Peck.

"The only problems have been traffic-control issues during bathroom breaks, as well as end-of-the-movie pile-ups of numerous children trying to find their own boots in the heap left at the door."

The two hope to start holding nights for older youth, showing films suitable to their age group.

"As long as there's an interest from the kids, the RCMP will continue to offer this service and foster good relations with the community.

"Over the next few weeks, at least, it's show time as usual!"