Actor Erik Estrada who played Frank “Ponch” Poncherello, the crime fighting and motorcycle-riding police officer on the 1970s’ TV show CHiPs, is bringing his act to White Plains, Maryland. These days though, Estrada is fighting a new kind of crime: Internet crime.
On Tues., Sept. 10, from 6–9 p.m., Estrada will be at the Fellowship Church at Southern Maryland Christian Academy to show his new film, Finding Faith. The movie details the real-life story of a young girl who was abducted by a man she met through the Internet. “We have a major problem in the world and it’s the Internet. It’s a good tool for education, business and entertainment but it’s also a very dangerous place,” Estrada said.
As a spokesman for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation, a non-profit founded in 2000, Estrada regularly visits schools and churches across the country to talk about the importance of Internet safety and ways to protect young children from online predators. He has been committed to Internet safety for more than a decade.
Estrada was invited to SMCA by Pastor Marvin Harris and Pastor Frank Shelton, a longtime affiliate with the church and school and friend of Estrada’s.
In addition, Pastors Shelton and Harris said the church will be presenting Sheriff Rex W. Coffey of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office with a plaque honoring his passion for protecting the citizens of Charles County and children in particular.
The event is free and open to the public and media. Estrada will be available for autographs after the movie and donations will be accepted to help fund the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.
The Fellowship Church at SMCA is located at 9805 Faith Baptist Church Road in White Plains, Md. For additional information, please call 240-299-3155.
Photo Credit: Erik Estrada Official Website