How a New Braunfels teen’s Eagle Scout project is helping local police

SAN ANTONIO — The New Braunfels Police Department is spotlighting a young member of the community who teamed up with law enforcement to make a difference.

Kim Powell, a 14-year-old Eagle Scout with Troop 363, is being recognized for turning her passion project into a reality. She told KENS 5 that earning the rank of Eagle Scout at her age sets a standard for her to live by.

“I can go on the rest of my life upholding that standard,” said Powell.

In December, Powell began collecting donations and assembling sensory kits for patrol officers to keep in their vehicles. The kits are meant to equip officers with the right resources and tools to communicate and de-escalate situations involving individuals with autism or other sensory sensitivities, the department said. 

Recently, Kim got to see the impact of her efforts firsthand when she presented her project to New Braunfels PD and handed out the kits to officers in person.

It’s a project that Powell, who is diagnosed with autism herself, said is very personal to her.

“People should go out of their way to help other people feel comfortable and safe,” she said.

Powell said she is thankful for the help of friends and family, as well as the New Braunfels Police Department, which helped her complete her goal.

“They all seemed very excited and happy to work with me. They were just a positive force that I’m really happy I got to work with,” said Powell.

She said she hopes officers will put her project to good use, in the process sparking a change in her community by working directly with local law enforcement. 

“I feel like just starting to spread that awareness… and having that be out there makes me hope that people will actually see this as, ‘Yeah, that works,’” said Powell.

The teen said her project has been met with an overwhelming and unexpected amount of support. 

“I remember I was so nervous that I wouldn’t get any support on my project,” she said. “It’s really emotional for me.”