The fund-raiser is set to Tuesday at Chili's restaurants in Springfield and West Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD – For ten police officers here and another ten in West Springfield on Tuesday, the phrase “book ‘em” could very well involve the scribbling of an order for crispy honey chipotle crispers or a Presidente Margarita
Ten of Springfield’s finest will go head-to-head with ten of their counterparts across the Connecticut River Tuesday as they compete to see which police team provides better service.
The officers will trade their pepper spray for pepper mills as they see which of the ten men and women in blue can raise the most in tips at their respective Chili’s restaurants.
Tip money, as well as ten percent of the restaurant proceeds during the good-natured competition, will benefit the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
The event, a duel-fund-raiser if you will, takes place at both restaurants from 4 to 10 p.m. The West Springfield Chili’s is at 1175 Riverdale St., and the Springfield Chili’s is at 302 Cooley St.
The competition is clearly heating up. “If you want good service come to Springfield,” said Sgt. John M. Delaney, one of the ten who will be working the Chili’s on the eastern side of the river.
“That’s baloney,” said Officer Erica Ireland, organizer of West Springfield team which includes from other Western Massachusetts law enforcement agencies as well.
The event marks West Springfield’s fifth Tip-A-Cop fund-raising event and Springfield’s first, Ireland said. “We know the ropes,” she said. “We serve the food, we sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ we clear the tables, it’s a lot of fun.”
Ireland said, however, that it really doesn't matter which Chili's location raises the most money. "The real winners are the Special Olympics athletes," she said.