Some of the members of the Nashua Police Patrolman's Charities who took part in last August's "Cone With A Cop" event at Hayward's Ice Cream hold up their banner for a photo. The next Cone With A Cop event is scheduled for May 22 at Hayward's. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – Police Officer Ben Stusse is looking forward to next Saturday, May 22, with a bit of trepidation and a good measure of cautious optimism.

For that’s the day when Strusse will learn if the rumors – known in law-enforcement parlance as “intelligence” – that he and possibly some other local first-responders will be the targets of projectiles hurled toward them by as many as 200 kids intent on scoring as many hits as possible with their allotted number of projectiles.

But no matter how many hits the eager pitchers score, none of them will be charged with assault on a police officer or any other type of crime – rather, those age 12 and under will be directed to the service windows at Hayward’s Ice Cream for a free ice cream cone.

Those attractions and more await visitors to Nashua PAL’s first “Cone With A Cop” event of the season, which is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, with a rain date of Sunday, May 23.

“I’m really good to these kids, and now I hear they’re all excited about dunking me in a tank of cold water,” Stusse, the department’s PAL officer, said with a laugh.

A Nashua police officer inside Hayward's Ice Cream serves up free scoops of ice cream to two young attendees at last August's "Cone With A Cop" event. This year's takes place May 22 at Hayward's. (Courtesy photo)

It will likely be a toss-up as to whether getting a free scoop of ice cream or the opportunity to send Stusse or the other “dunkees” splashing into the water-filled tank will be the most popular attraction.

But definitely one of the most appreciated attractions is the free rides to the event that Nashua Transit will be offering to those who lack transportation.

“All you have to do is tell the driver you’re going to Hayward’s for the PAL event and the ride will be free,” Stusse said.

For those who drive to the event, Rivier University is providing space for overflow parking.

The free scoops of ice cream, meanwhile, are courtesy of the Nashua Police Patrolman’s Charities. And Hayward’s, the popular drive-in that’s stood at the corner of Daniel Webster Highway and Robinson Road for going on 80 years, will be donating 20% of all sales between noon and 3 p.m. to Nashua PAL, Stusse said.

Representatives of Nashua PAL and Hayward's Ice Cream hold up a poster of the check showing that Hayward's raised $476 for Nashua PAL at last year's August "Cone With A Cop" event. (Courtesy photo)

While a small donation will enable visitors to take a try at the dunk tank, they can also check out the emergency vehicles on display, including a fire truck, an AMR ambulance and a police unit.

Also featured will be a K-9 team and the presence of emotional support dogs, and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and the Nashua Prevention Coalition will have booths set up where visitors can get information such as programs that are offered.

Small raffles are on the agenda, Stuess said, and it’s possible that games such as cornhole will be available.

As for the so-called “dunkees,” the roster to date includes Stusse, Hollis police Chief Joseph Hoebeke, Nashua Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Steve Buxton, and AMR Regional Director Chris Stawasz.

Attendance-wise, Stusse said he’s hoping to hit the 200 mark, which would exceed by about 20 young attendees the total for the most recent Cone With A Cop last August.

The event comes at a time when people are itching to get out and do things, after more than a year laying low due to the pandemic.

“Everyone wants to do a little something now,” Stuess said. “We all want to bring some normalcy back.

“Things like this, they’re very much needed,” he said of the Cone With A Cop event.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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