Children in the Boynton Beach community have new books to read thanks to the residents and the city’s police officers.

The Boynton Beach Police Department held a book drive this month. Residents donated 2,187 books, which the police officers last week gave to seven day cares and preschools in the city.

The book drive is one of several community programs the police department has been involved in recently. Police officers held Coffee With a Cop on Tuesday at McDonald’s, and on Thursday, March 30, Police Chief Jeffrey Katz is hosting a Town Hall meeting.

Also, the department is hosting a diaper drive for Mother’s Day. Last year, the officers collected about 11,000 diapers and about 30,000 wipes. They hope the community will double that this year.

"We understand we have a unique perspective of where these resources need to go. We’ve been able to work as a conduit with our public and help direct their generosity to where it matters most," Katz said at a news conference last week. "We wanted to really just express our appreciation as an agency. We’re making a difference. Our community is making a difference."

— ALEXANDRA SELTZER