Protecting, serving...and having some fun

By Tara Drach and Michelle Harman-Hirsh

Chandler kids and their parents got an inside look at their police department on April 27, when the Chandler Police Department hosted its Spring Open House, Protecting Chandler’s Children.

The event was coordinated by the Crime Prevention Unit and featured educational exhibits and demonstrations including a bike rodeo, K-9 demonstrations, a police clown troupe, McGruff the Crime Dog, Handy the Graffiti Buster, several helicopters and displays by the Army National Guard, the SWAT team and the fire department. 

“This is a very hands-on experience for people,” said Organizer Sgt. Phil Graham. “There was a wonderful turnout.”

Informational booths included demonstrations and pamphlets about child safety seats, M.A.D.D., D.A.R.E., Red Means Stop and Anti-Tobacco campaigns.

The Chandler Horizon Rotary sponsored the Child ID kit program, which includes a child’s informational card, picture, physical description and fingerprints.

On a behind the scenes tour of the police department participants surveyed the communications center, where 911 calls are received and dispatched, the indoor shooting range and practice shooting house, jail holding cells and Police Chief Harris' office.

The open house is held twice a year, the next scheduled for December.

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