‘Mowing with Cops’ tour stops in Topeka, aims to counter negative police stereotypes

One lucky family just south of Ward-Meade Park now has a freshly mowed lawn thanks to Rodney Smith and Topeka police.

Smith is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service. Earlier this month, he embarked on a 50-state “Mowing with Cops” tour, in which he travels across the country mowing lawns for the elderly, the disabled, single parents and veterans. Each time he stops to mow a lawn for free, Smith invites police officers in that community to help.

Smith spent Monday afternoon in Topeka. He arrived in the capital city around 3 p.m. — following a morning spent mowing in Des Moines, Iowa, and a mid-day stop in Kansas City. Upon arrival, Smith met with Topeka Police Department officers. They chose to mow the overgrown lawn of a single mother of four whose lawn mower has been broken since the beginning of summer.