Chief Dino Sgambellone today recognizes Pinion Elementary School 6th grader Jens Wald-Hopkins for taking safe and swift action upon finding an unattended handgun at a local park. Courtesy/LAPD

LAPD News:

Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone today recognized 6th grader Jens Wald-Hopkins of Pinion Elementary School for helping keep Los Alamos County safe, especially in local parks.

Earlier this month, Wald-Hopkins was playing with his friends near Rocket Park in White Rock where he discovered an unattended handgun. Once he realized it was a firearm, Wald-Hopkins did not move it but called a trusted adult, his father. His parents then met him where he was and safely secured the firearm then notified LAPD.

Wald-Hopkins was given a certificate, gift card and police department coin, to recognize his quick thinking, which not only kept his friends safe but also countless other children who play near and at Rocket Park.

“Jens did exactly what he was supposed to do,” Chief Sgambellone said.

Chief Sgambellone is a strong advocate for educating children on safety procedures. He started Safety Town in 2015 in Los Alamos, (which he brought from his hometown Agency of Mansfield, Ohio). Safety Town is a partnership between Los Alamos Public Schools and LAPD. It is a two-week summer program during which incoming kindergarten students are taught topics related to safety including bike safety, “stranger danger”, animal awareness, fire safety, water safety, and what to do if you find a gun.

“We are fortunate to have many children who have graduated the safety town program, we want to remind parents to have safety discussions with their children that help keep them safe,” Chief Sgambellone said.

Pending the status COVID-19 pandemic, LAPD hopes to resume safety town in the summer of 2021.

LAPD officers are investigating why that handgun was left at Rocket Park and asks anyone with information to call LAPD Crime stoppers at 505.662.8282.