SAFFORD — Safford Police offered local kindergarteners a chance to know their local police in a less than spooky situation Wednesday.
The Police Department hosted its second annual Spooky Fest Haunted House for upward of 200 children from Lafe Nelson, Ruth Powel and Dorothy Stinson schools in the Safford Unified School District, as well as Solomon Elementary and Triumphant Learning Center.
Safford Police Chief Brian Avila said the haunted house is part of his department’s way to give back to the community.
“We’re very fortunate here, not just here at Safford Police Department but Valley-wide, to have such a supportive community. They support us in everything we do and we’re lucky to have that,” Avila said.
The students were greeted by staff dressed as skeletons and given cookies and trick-or-treat bags with a coloring book about what to do when approached by a stranger. They then got a close-up look at a Safford Police vehicle and learned about what police officers do, before heading into the haunted house and receiving a piece or two of candy.
It’s one of a series of initiatives the Safford Police Department has undertaken to give the community a better understanding of what officers do.
The department recently graduated a class from its Citizens Police Academy, where participants learned about “patrol operations, investigations, dispatch, jail procedures, body-worn cameras, K-9 operations and officer safety,” as described on the Safford Police social media. They also learned “firearm safety, practiced shooting techniques, and experienced real-life patrol simulations.”
The Safford Police Department’s next community event is Coffee with a Cop Thursday, Nov. 6, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Ginaveve’s Main Street Bean. Residents can have a casual conversation with officers to address concerns and offer ideas.
The Safford Police Department is also taking nominations for children to be added to this year’s Angel Tree. Residents select a card from the tree and buy clothing and gifts for the child. Gender, age, sizes and interests are listed on the card to protect the child’s identity.
Nominations are being accepted through Dec. 1. Click here to nominate.
