Police Cancel Widely Mocked 'Hide and Seek with a Cop' Event, Blame 'Media Coverage' for 'Causing Safety Concerns'

An Oregon police department has canceled its "Hide and Seek with a Cop" event, citing media coverage that raised "safety concerns" after public perception was affected.

The Sherwood Police Department intended on hosting a game of traditional hide and seek between police and participants at Stella Olsen Memorial Park, aimed to encourage positive interactions between officers and community members, according to KTVZ.

Ultimately the planned gathering was met with backlash, leading to its cancellation, KTVZ reported.

Officials noted that media portrayals of the event had reshaped the narrative around it and raised alarms about safety for the officers.

"Unfortunately, recent media coverage has reshaped the perception of this event, causing concerns about safety," Sherwood Police Department said on Facebook. "We understand how crucial it is to prioritize the well-being of both our community members and officers, and as such, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Hide and Seek with a Cop event."

In the Facebook post, the officers expressed disappointment but committed to exploring alternative activities.

"We are disappointed, as we were truly looking forward to this opportunity to connect with you. However, our team is actively exploring new ideas for future events that will bring us together safely and supportively. We look forward to planning another community-focused activity soon," the department said.

The department is currently working on planning an alternative community-focused activities.