Mike Safaris and his friends arrived in Ofakim-Merhavim last Thursday in a police van. David Bitan, Mike's old friend and Yigal, both former participants of the police delegations from a couple of years ago, escorted Mike and his friends from the moment they landed in Israel, giving them real VIP police officers treatment.

After a short welcome to the partnership, the group had a tour in Alei-Negev village. The tour was very interesting. The fact that some of the ladies in the delegation are familiar and involved in the special needs population in their homes gave the visit a personal aspect.

After a Moroccan-Iraqi lunch, the group met with the warm home staff in the Isha center. From there they continued to the Youth futures program and packed, together with the children of the program, Sabbath packages for soldiers. The day ended with meeting the new parent guard watch in Ofakim and the "City without Violence" project.

It was very hot and intensive day but very successful.

The Sheriff delegation is a wonderful example to how the living bridge component gives a platform for the creation of independent relationships between the sheriffs and local police officers. Every couple of years Mike, and his good friend Jim bring some of their friends to get to know Israel in general and the P2K area in specific.