For the second year running, the Washington Police Department is throwing a Halloween party for the community’s children.
Oct. 20, Washington police, N.C. State Highway Patrol, Crime Stoppers, N.C. Fire Service and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will all be on hand for trick or treating, a pumpkin-carving contest and a runway costume contest at Havens Gardens in Washington. Alongside sidekicks McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear and Sparky the Firehouse Dog, a DJ will provide music as prizes are given away for the friendly competitions.
“It’s a safe environment for kids to come out and have a good time,” said Lt. William Chrismon, spokesman for the Washington Police Department.
Police have invited residents out on several such occasions in the recent months: National Night Out, community meet and greets, a police-sponsored football camp hosted by Kansas City Chief’s wide receiver, Terrance Copper, as well as an exhibition basketball game between NFL players and Washington police and fire departments. There’s a reason for these events, said Chrismon: mingling with the community on a more casual level creates better relationships between the public and law enforcement.
“Anytime we can do something where the kids can interact with law enforcement, with any public service officer, it builds a bond,” Chrismon explained. “A lot of times when we meet (the public), it’s under a stressful situation, like an accident. We’re trying to find alternative ways to interact with the kids and build relationships.”
The party takes place Saturday from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Havens Gardens, located at the riverside park near the intersection of East Main Street and Park Drive in Washington.
Contests are open to children, in first to fifth grades. For more information about the event and the contests to be held, call 252-948-9445 or visit the police department’s blog at http://washingtonpd.blogspot.com/.