Delaware Police Give Out Free Hugs to Strangers

Here’s a heartwarming story for you.

Two Newark police officers, Cpl. James Spadola and Officer First Class Aaron Olicker, took it upon themselves to walk down the street and offer free hugs to anyone willing to accept them.

Naturally, the entire thing was caught on camera.

The two caring cops could be seen strolling down Main Street holding signs that read “Free Hugs.”

As of last Friday the video and the accompanying hashtagged #HugACop, had more than 2.6 million views.

Cpl. James Spadola, who wanted to combat a lot of the negative press surrounding police, said the free hugs campaign is “going pretty well.”

“I just wanted to come up with a positive time between the police and the citizens,” said Officer First Class Spadola.

A University of Delaware student Tia Hill followed the officers.

“Some people didn’t want to hug us, and that’s fine,” Spadola said. “But I’d say most people did choose to go into a hug.

“There’s no negative reaction.”

Check out some footage from the officers’ Hugfest in the video above.