Bobby Johnston says he is blessed with an amazing job. He’s been working with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for the last 16 years. For the past ten years, he has served as the Work Release Director. His goal is to slow down the cycle of reincarceration by teaching inmates how to hold down a job, keep track of their money, and see themselves as a valued part of the community when they are released.
Bobby approaches this position as mission work and hopes that the people he teaches will know true freedom. In fact, there was a particular inmate that Bobby deeply believed would be among the successful. The inmate worked hard, so Bobby worked harder knowing that he was going to make a difference in this person’s life.
But then came the test, while released they stumbled on their journey and Bobby had to take them back to jail. Unfortunately, Bobby had seen this before but it felt different this time, he was disappointed and the weight of his job suddenly felt very heavy.
One day he sent up a simple prayer: “What can I do to see happiness?” And the Lord answered.
God told Bobby to get an ice cream truck. However, he shrugged it off thinking it couldn’t be real. He knew nothing about running an ice cream business.
Days went by, and Bobby asked again, “WHAT can I do to see happiness?” Again, he was told to get an ice cream truck. This time, Bobby bought a van, and he built his ice cream truck. Being a law enforcement officer, he decided to name it “Copsicles Ice Cream Truck”. On July 7, 2021, Copsicles Ice Cream Truck hit the streets of Ouachita Parish.
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Source Bobby Johnston, Copsicle |
Since opening his ice cream truck, Bobby has seen happiness. Kids come running with money in hand and smiles on their faces. This summer he has even had some bookings for local businesses wanting the truck to come by. Adults want ice cream, too. And they share their smiles. Smiles are all around.
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Source Bobby Johnston, Copsicle |
At any point, you can find something to satisfy your sweet tooth as they have some 30 different ice cream treats on the truck. They even have a snocone machine on board. But keeping with the “cop theme” they only serve red or blue snocones.
Recently, Copsicles added a second truck to the fleet. Things have been going so well that in the Fall of 2022 they plan on opening a walk-up Copsicles shop in Calhoun.
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Source Bobby Johnston, Copsicle |
Interested in knowing where the Copsicles Ice Cream Truck is running? Here’s the scoop:
Mondays: Neighborhoods off Hwy 80 in West Monroe
Tuesdays: Neighborhoods off Forty Oaks Farm Rd
Thursdays: Kiroli area
Fridays: Calhoun area
Saturdays: “Bobby’s Choice” (Ruston or Monroe)
Don’t see your area on the schedule? Visit the Copsicles Ice Cream Truck Facebook page and click on the Book Now button.
PS: By the way, yes, the ice cream truck plays music!
PSS: I am thinking of the most awesome birthday party fun ever!
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