SEQUIM – Law enforcement officers from across the North Olympic Peninsula will be out for tips, not arrests, as they help the wait staff at Applebee’s restaurant raise money for Special Olympics during Tip-A-Cop on Sept. 23.
Officers will work at the restaurant at 130 River Road from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Participating agencies will be the Sequim, Port Angeles and Port Townsend police departments, as well as the Clallam and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices and the State Patrol, said Clallam County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron, an event coordinator.
“We’ve never done a Tip-A-Cop before,” Cameron said, adding it happened as a result of Applebee’s involvement this year.
In the past, only Red Robin restaurants have participated.
Cameron said he has extended invitations to all North Olympic Peninsula law enforcement agencies.
He said Special Olympics was targeted to benefit from the fundraiser because the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs support it.
Law enforcement officers will bring beverages to tables, while the regular wait staff handle food and alcohol orders, Cameron said.
Patrons may tip the officers above whatever tip they give to the servers as a separate donation.
In addition to the officers, some Special Olympians and coaches will be at the restaurant for the fundraiser.
It is the second fundraiser for Special Olympics at Applebee’s this year.
A breakfast in June raised more than $1,400 — which made the Peninsula the top fundraiser in Western Washington in the statewide effort, Cameron said.
Most other Applebee’s in the state participated.
The law enforcement agencies of the Peninsula also got together to take the Special Olympics torch from Port Angeles to Hood Canal for the state games in June.
For more information on Special Olympics, visit www.sowa.org.
