On April 5, 2013 the Alpine Sheriff Station hosted “Kidzwatch” a program to help explain safety to children. Before starting the one-day safety course the children were sworn in as ‘Junior Deputies’ and took a quick tour of the station. They got to see the offices Alpine Law Enforcement work in, the holding cells, where criminals are processed and even the kitchen! Thanks to our local sheriff station, these children are ready and know how to act in a: fire, gun, animal, bullying, and various emergency situations.
On April 5, 2013 the Alpine Sheriff Station hosted “Kidzwatch” a program to help explain safety to children. Before starting the one-day safety course the children were sworn in as ‘Junior Deputies’ and took a quick tour of the station. They got to see the offices Alpine Law Enforcement work in, the holding cells, where criminals are processed and even the kitchen! Thanks to our local sheriff station, these children are ready and know how to act in a: fire, gun, animal, bullying, and various emergency situations.
After a tour of the sub-station led by Holly Conroy the Alpine Sheriff Station Crime Prevention Specialist, the children took their seats in public conference room. Jessica Turner and Wes Knowles spoke to the children about gun safety and bullying. After the first presentation the children went upstairs and had their finger prints and photos taken for their own security, after doing this they went back down stars with some snacks provided by the sheriff station for their break, they then let out some of their young energy with a fun round of Simon Says.
After the children had settled down, Whitney Buckingham taught a section about what to do in emergencies, and how to deal with animals safely. The children stepped outside to get educated on what a bomb squad with does when responding to a call with Shawn Wray. The Jr. Deputies got to drive around a professional Rover which would be used in a real-life bomb emergency. Following the Safety part of the course was a paramedic presentation with an ambulance. The Paramedics took heart readings of some of the children and taught them about needle safety and showed them some equipment including a stethoscope and an I.V. bag of saline. After walking through the ambulance the children went to the fire-truck to get some information on fire equipment and procedures a fire emergency. The last presentation before lunch was a search and rescue with beagles.
The Medhursts sponsored the search and rescue portion, they talked to the children about how to stay safe when lost, make sure not to move, and when lost, try to stay in the area you first got lost and to stay calm. Dog trading cards with the pictures of Wishbone and Charlie the beagles were made available to the children who did the presentation. Dave Truax and Donna Lockhart members of Kiwanis sponsors the Kidzwatch event with hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone involved in the program.
A pleasant surprise for all, Lions Tigers and Bears stopped by with their mascot of ‘Meatball’ the bear. The children had some fun getting some pictures with Meatball and enjoyed the pleasant lunch BBQ. Everyone returned inside to get an interactive safety demonstration with Brian Pennings who gave all the children bike helmets and taught them the importance of safety. At the end of the day the K9 Unit brought out a Belgian Shepard for a presentation of how the dog would bring down a criminal. Deputy Carlos Serrato and Shannon Justice explained how these K9 unit dogs are should be respected because their job is dangerous and plays an important role in the Law enforcement field. An S.W.A.T. Truck was brought out and Deputies Allen Hebdon and Gale let the children check out the vehicle. The day was a great success and to celebrate this success the Sheriff station finalized the day with a graduation for the children. Now Alpine can rest a little easier knowing that its children are prepped and ready for safety as well as some emergency situations.
