In North Philadelphia, 7-year-old Ian Bangs has developed a special friendship with the officers at Temple University’s Department of Public Safety. Every weekday, as he walks to and from school with his mother, Lisa Russel, Ian passes by the department, flashing a smile and waving enthusiastically at the police officers he sees.
“Ian has become a familiar face to many of us,” Temple Police Sergeant Francisco Gonzalez told Temple Now. “He walks by every day, telling us to be safe and to have a great day. It’s genuine and appreciated.”
For Ian, showing kindness to police is second nature, a value instilled by his mother, who always teaches her son to always thank police for the work that they do.
“Police are very nice — they’re kind and they help people out when they need something,” Ian says.
That positivity was put to the test recently when a school friend made a negative comment about law enforcement. Instead of joining in, Ian stood up for the officers he admires, encouraging his peers to show respect because of the good they do for the community.
On March 20, as Ian walked home from school, he spotted Temple Police Officer Chantelle McCrea waiting for him. Unable to contain his excitement, he ran straight to her and wrapped her in a big hug. “Hey, buddy!” McCrea said, returning the embrace. “On behalf of Temple University’s Department of Public Safety, we put together a bravery bag for you to thank you for the kindness you have shown those of us in law enforcement. We wanted to show you our appreciation.”
The “bravery bag” was packed with thoughtful goodies: a toy Temple Police car, a Department of Public Safety lunch box, a Temple Police water bottle, pens and more. It was a small gesture with a big message — one of gratitude and encouragement for a young boy whose respect for law enforcement stands out.
The idea for the gift came after Officer McCrea and Sergeant Gonzalez recently invited Ian and his mother for a special tour of the department. The duo got a behind-the-scenes look at the station, where Ian donned a police vest and explored the inside of a patrol car.
He was also able to flip on the red and blue flashing lights and high-five officers on duty. For McCrea and Gonzalez, it was a chance to connect with a young community member who’d already shown them so much support.
“We hope this small gift encourages him to be the respectful young man that he is and grow into the person and the leader that he wants to become,” McCrea said.
The department’s leadership couldn’t be prouder. “I’m so proud of Officer McCrea and Sergeant Gonzalez and the positive influence they both have on our community members,” said Jennifer Griffin, chief of police and vice president for public safety. “Community engagement is the foundation of a safer and stronger community for everyone.”
Ian’s story even made waves on the department’s Facebook page, where they celebrated his daily waves and his courage in standing up for law enforcement. “Go Ian!” they wrote — and it’s clear the sentiment is shared by the officers who’ve met him.
