Neighbor calls cops on teen doing yard work. Instead of reproaching him, they surprised him
Keonte told officers he was trying to help his mother with household expenses, while also saving for a PS5.
The world can be unjust to people due to discrimination and a prejudiced mindset. Oftentimes, when people are marginalized due to preconceived notions, it becomes challenging for them to overcome the hurdles without external support. When 16-year-old Keonte Evans was mistaken for a trespasser by his neighbor on August 5, the cops were called on him. But little did he know that his life would be changing for the better.
Teenager Keonte Evans always wanted to work hard, to pay for his siblings' clothes before the new school year, support his mother, and make enough money to buy himself a PlayStation 5. Evans, who doesn't mind working hard, decided to start his own lawn care company. However, when he was about to get to work for his first paying customer, the neighbours called the police on him, alleging that they suspected a 'juvenile trespasser' and wanted him removed. When Officer Eric Colleran of the Hapeville, Georgia Police Department arrived, he did not find any 'juvenile' or 'trespasser' but rather a young boy who was determined to help his family. Keonte explained to the officer that he was in the area to do yard work, such as pulling weeds, cutting grass, and trimming the edges. He also explained to him that he was helping his mother and hoped to own a PlayStation 5 someday. The cop immediately sorted out the misunderstanding, but was touched by the teen's willingness to work hard, while also feeling dejected over such blatant prejudices harming kids.
The police officer, who was touched by the tough boy's well-spoken demeanor, returned to the teen a couple of days later with a surprise. He asked Keonte to open the trunk of his patrol car, and to his surprise, Keonte found a brand-new PlayStation 5 in it! Unable to contain his emotions, Keonte hugged the officer tight and was moved by his kind gesture. Interestingly, Eric, who is a gamer himself, joined hands with other cops from the department to not only gift him a PS5 but also get a gift card to pay for the membership so the teen could immediately begin playing.
The Facebook handle of the police department shared the heartwarming video on their page, which garnered appreciation from users online. Officer Colleran's act of kindness is echoed in the study co-authored by Kyle Peyton, Michael Sierra-Arévalo, and David G. Rand in 2019, which explored the importance of community policing, where a single positive, non‐enforcement encounter significantly improved perceptions of police legitimacy, trust, and willingness to cooperate. The study suggests that even small acts of kindness and connection by police can help transform community relationships and rebuild legitimacy.
After the video was posted online, many online users heaped praise on Officer Eric for setting an example for fellow cops. @DrYvette-DivaWilliams commented, "Give this officer his flowers. Thank you, sir. You made a difference in the life of this child forever."
@RuthieBrown wrote, "If you can help one kid in this world to want to go straight, you have done a lot. I could imagine God telling him Well Done, My Faithful Servant." User @Yusuf Ngwala commented, "Officer Colleran, I pray God blesses you and your huge heart. Thanks for being awesome."
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