More than just a game: Cops vs Teens Fugitive Night brings Kane community together

KANAB — What started as a fun summer activity has quickly become one of Kane County’s favorite traditions.

Photos courtesy of Kane Community Coalition.

This year’s Cops vs Teens Fugitive Night, organized by Kane Community Coalition (KCC) and the Kane Community Youth Coalition (KCYC), welcomed more than 315 teens! More than double last year’s attendance. The overwhelming turnout was exciting, but even more impressive was what happened throughout the evening.

The event challenged participants to work together as they raced from Jacob Hamblin Park to the Old Elementary School location, then turned around for a second game back to the park. The teenagers spent the evening running through town, laughing with friends, solving problems together and making memories. They came prepared this year with new strategies and ideas to get past the Law Enforcement tactics. Even more remarkable, they did it with respect for one another, for volunteers, for law enforcement and for the community. Events like Fugitive Night remind us that our youth are capable of incredible things when they’re given positive opportunities to connect.

This event would not have been possible without the many organizations and volunteers who came together to make it happen. A huge thank you goes to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Kanab Police Department, whose officers enthusiastically joined in the fun while helping keep everyone safe. At the finish line, they greeted participants with doughnuts, cookies and cold water, creating opportunities for conversations and smiles that extended well beyond the game itself.

We are also incredibly grateful to the Kane County Events Team for providing the sound system and assisting with check-in, helping the evening run smoothly from start to finish, as well as the many volunteers who donated their time to make the event a success.

At KCC and KCYC, we believe that “Connection is Prevention.” Positive relationships with trusted adults are one of the strongest protective factors for young people. Events like Fugitive Night allow teens to interact with law enforcement outside of emergencies or difficult situations. For some youth, these may be their first meaningful conversations with an officer. Those simple moments like sharing a laugh, celebrating the finish line or talking over a doughnut help build trust, reduce fear and strengthen relationships that benefit our entire community.

When young people know the adults around them care, they are more likely to ask for help, make healthy choices and feel like they belong. Those connections don’t just make for a great evening, they contribute to a safer, stronger community for everyone. Watching more than 315 teens choose to spend a summer evening running through our community, encouraging one another and having fun together was something special. It was a reminder that when a community invests in its youth, incredible things can happen.

Thank you to every participant, volunteer, officer, sponsor and community partner who helped make this year’s Fugitive Night our biggest and best yet. We can’t wait to see what next year brings.

Watch for more announcements on activities sponsored by KCC and KCYC that will bring your family together, provide experiences to connect and learn more about early prevention with substance abuse and suicide.