Aiken officers hold pickleball event for community

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Aiken Department of Public Safety hosted its “Pickleball with a Cop” event near the Odell Weeks Activity Center on Friday.

Taking advantage of the nice weather, the event was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

People were paired with officers for the event and one member spoke about his time.

“I think it’s absolutely vital in my day-to-day life. I may have 10 to 20 interactions on a daily basis but I might be the only cop they ever see in their life. So, I try to make a point and make a connection and try to treat them very kindly,” said Corporal Mark Blades with the Aiken Department of Public Safety.

Blades says his idea for the event came from seeing people playing the sport and giving it a try.