TONGANOXIE, Kan. — Police in Tonganoxie are trying to raise money to purchase their first ever police dog, and two young filmmakers are helping them.
Two seventh grade movie buffs from Tonganoxie Middle School are suddenly screen idols, as far as the local police department is concerned.
Students Adam Demaranville and Blake Phillips used video equipment to help the police with their K-9 project. And in a week’s time, since the video made it to YouTube, the two seventh-graders have become the talk of their school.
Demaranville and Phillips recently made another film, encouraging fellow students not to take up the habit of smoking. However, it’s the dog-related video that has local police thanking them for their work.
“I think that we would think, ‘Wow it’s pretty nice that this video helped them get that dog and I hope it benefits the community in the future,” said Phillips.
Teachers at Tonganoxie Middle School knew about the boys’ interest in movie-making, and asked them if they’d be interested in lending a hand to the police.
“They said they loved it,” Demaranville said. “They got a lot of feedback from it. They said it was wonderful.”
Tonganoxie Police Chief Jeffrey Brandau loved the video, even after some minor changes the boys made. He says his department is interested in a Belgian Malinois. He says the total cost for the dog and training will be $14,000.
“This animal helps as another person whose out on patrol with that officer to help protect him especially at night when we can be shorthanded,” Chief Brandau said.
Demaranville may not stop with making locally-produced videos. He’s only 12 years old now, but he says he wants to make movies as a career.
“I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking,” Demaranville said. “It’s just another outlet for what I love to do. Anytime I can, I always do.”
When he does, Chief Brandau tells me he’ll be the first to buy a ticket.
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