<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=06nOBi_1GxTyoBw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=06nOBi_1GxTyoBw00" width="1200" height="600" ><p>LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - A group from Lawrence was welcomed in Algeria this week, and one Lawrence police detective continues to draw attention after going viral over the past few months.</p><p>Gizelle Balli, a University of Kansas student, is in Algeria with 37 others from Lawrence. She is part of a band that welcomed Algeria’s national team to Rock Chalk Park for the first time.</p><h2>Student describes trip</h2><p>Balli said the group has received special treatment during the visit.</p><p>“We even have private charters and the government; they stop traffic for us anywhere we go,” Balli said. “ I literally feel like royalty over here.”</p><p>The students rehearsed the national anthem one last time from a studio in Algeria. Balli said the group will perform Thursday with other Algerian musicians.</p><p>“On Thursday we’re going to do a big performance with some other Algerian musicians, and we’re going to perform both of our national anthems together,” Balli said.</p><h2>Detective draws attention</h2><p>Balli said Lawrence police Detective Meghan Bardwell has also drawn attention in Algeria. Bardwell went viral for a video of her welcoming the team to Lawrence during the World Cup.</p><p>“People keep stopping her everywhere we go. They want to get a picture with her. Other police officers want pictures with her just everywhere. Everyone wants a picture with her,” Balli said.</p><p>Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart said Bardwell works in the department’s special victims unit. She deals with some of the worst cases at the department, but Lockhart says this was a chance for her to be herself.</p><p>“The blonde hair, the sunglasses, those are her trademarks,” Lockhart said, “when you see Bardwell, she’s dancing around. That’s what she does. She’s silly,” Lockhart said.</p><p>Alongside Bardwell on the trip is Lt. David Ernst. He had a huge part of making sure the team’s visit went smoothly.</p><p>“Dave’s one of my emerging leaders and he was the incident commander, so he was involved in all the planning,” Lockhart said.</p><p>The group is scheduled to return from Algeria on Saturday.</p></div></body>

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - A group from Lawrence was welcomed in Algeria this week, and one Lawrence police detective continues to draw attention after going viral over the past few months. Gizelle Balli, a University of Kansas student, is in Algeria with 37 others from Lawrence. She is part of...

Lawrence group welcomed in Algeria

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - A group from Lawrence was welcomed in Algeria this week, and one Lawrence police detective continues to draw attention after going 

Lawrence group welcomed in Algeria

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