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E-mail This StoryDozens of Rowlett youngsters got an up-close view of some of their favorite trucks and cars during Rowlett’s annual National Night Out celebration at the Waterview Community Center on Tuesday.
“It’s a fire truck,” squealed one pre-schooler as he dragged his mother along for a closer look. His excitement turned to solemn amazement as he stood staring at the Rowlett firefighter who offered to let him climb inside.
While this tot preferred to admire the truck from a distance, other children eagerly climbed inside to see for themselves what it feels like to sit inside a fire truck.
Behind the fire truck, youngsters had a chance to explore one of Rowlett’s mobile intensive care units, the ambulance as most kids called it.
As one little boy looked around, he quizzed the firefighter about the gurney, the jump seats and other pieces of equipment he spotted.
“This is fun,” he said as he jumped from the vehicle and scampered off into the crowd.
On the other side of the parking lot, was the City of Rowlett’s Emergency Services vehicle, a large motor coach designed to serve as a mobile emergency command post in the event of a crisis. Parents gathered around a table picking up information on various aspects of crime prevention and public safety and chatted with officers, while the kids clamored for police badge stickers that many immediately stuck on their shirts.
Many youngsters, particularly the smaller ones were drawn to Red. E. Fox is a friendly neighbor who goes out into the community and teaches children how and when to call 911 in case of an emergency.
The Red E. Fox 911 Safety Program for elementary school age children was introduced into the Elementary Schools by the Rowlett public safety communications personnel and uses educational materials such as coloring books, book covers and the Red E. Fox mascot to teach children this important information.
But on National Night Out, youngsters were more interested in high-fiving the fox - or in one little girl’s case, pulling its tail. The fox played along, entertaining the tot and those watching. After all, building relationships with residents - even its smallest ones - is the purpose behind the annual event.
Red E. Fox wasn’t alone in his effort to establish community relationships. Officer Joe Justice was on hand to meet and greet kids as well.
“Officer Joe is a public servant kind of guy,” said Officer Dan Miller, who oversees the Rowlett Police Department’s crime prevention programs.
Office Joe proved to be most popular with elementary school aged boys who seem to enjoy looking up to the 10-foot tall cop. Even the Chick-Fil-A cow seemed impressed as he passed out stuffed cows among the boys who had gather around the larger-than life policeman.
But the night wasn’t just about mascots. Members of the city’s Volunteers in Police Services Program where on hand to talk about what they contribute the city’s public safety efforts.
Lisa Pebbles, a member of the program said, “I am so excited about this year’s National Night Out. It gave us a chance to meet our neighbors and to let one another know it’s all right to lend a helping hand in crime prevention. We also enjoy this function because it helps the community to feel more comfortable around the police department and to be able to ask questions.”
The VIPS Program has been a priority for the Rowlett Police Department since 2006 when we started laying the groundwork through its Citizens Police Academy. These volunteers are trained are many aspects of public service such as the vacation watch program
The street fair, hosted by the Waterview Homeowners Association, also included a storytelling scarecrow, a magician and balloon artists. Perhaps the favorite was a trio of face painters who tediously created works of art on visages of excited youngsters. Meanwhile families picnicked on the clubhouse lawn, munching on free hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and other goodies donated by the HOA and other event sponsors.
As the Waterview even wound down, police and fire-rescue personnel packed up their gear and headed over to Target, the event’s national sponsor. Changing venues gave denizens another chance to become acquainted with their public servants.
The Target event featured child fingerprinting, which proved to be popular with parents.
Office Matthew Williams said, “One of the activities we have here tonight is child finger printing. If the child is ever lost or stolen, the parents have fingerprints of their children. They could simply give it to the police department, and it would help the department” find the child.
As crowds began to gather, attracted by the fire truck, ambulance and police cars, Williams added. “Not only is this a great event to prevent crime, it helps the department a great deal. It lets the community know that sometimes we need their help too. And the greater the community is involved with helping prevent crime, the easier it will be for our crime rate to fall.”
