In the heart of Garland, Texas, a miniature marvel built from over 27,000 Lego pieces captures the essence of the city’s downtown square, all thanks to the dedication of Detective John Capers, who carefully selected each landmark to recreate a beloved urban tableau inside City Hall. Capers, a seasoned Garland Police Department detective with 26 years under his belt, has found solace and creative expression in Lego construction, turning a hobby into a city attraction that has residents leaning in to spot their favorite spots in miniaturized glory.
According to WFAA, visitors have been all smiles and gasps as they come across Capers’ creation, which not only serves as a tactile city map but reflects his method of unwinding from the oft-grueling work of law enforcement, which can weigh heavily on those in his line of duty. The project, a labor of love, sprouted from a desire to preserve and celebrate the city’s heritage, spotlighting local haunts like the barbecue joint and the flower shop that residents know and love, and following an earlier Lego model of the Garland Police Department, Capers continues to build ties with the community through these intricate displays.
“It’s better than using a map, coming here and looking at this,” Dee Carter, a Garland mom, told WFAA. With personal touches like a miniature Bob Ross painting by a playground—a nod to Capers’ artistic pursuits—the Lego scenes tell more than just the story of a city, they reveal the layers and interests that law enforcement officers, often seen in a one-dimensional light, possess…