SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Ways to improve personal and family safety were on display at the Safety & Compliance Expo held at Island Palms Communities’ Porter Community Center, here, June 9.
The Honolulu Police Department, Red Cross, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Drug Abuse Resistance Education representatives were among the many civic and community organizations that teamed up with U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii to help educate and create safety awareness among residents of all ages.
Military Police and Department of the Army officers talked to families about the Neighborhood Watch program, and they taught children about bike safety.
“This event allows us to make positive contact with the families, so they can get to know us and know that we are here to help them,” said Mindy Dye, community-oriented policing officer, Neighborhood Watch-Area North, Directorate of Emergency Services, USAG-HI. “We really want the (communities) to get involved with the Neighborhood Watch program to help keep their communities safe. Their participation is essential to making it work.”
The Honolulu Police Department fingerprinted and photographed more than 60 kids at its Keiki ID registration booth.
“It’s really great to see the kids get involved with the Keiki ID program, and it’s a huge benefit for parents in the event something happens to their child,” said HPD’s Wendy Atabay. “HPD really enjoys coming to these kinds of events.”
The Federal Fire Department displayed its fire truck and lifesaving tools, like the “Jaws of Life” and heavy door rams. Keiki could explore the fire truck, get an up-close look at gears and even sound the siren.
Jessica Coplin, a Porter Community resident, brought her kids to learn about safety but got much more out of the event.
“My boys want to either be a policeman, Soldier, fireman or a member of the (Special Reactionary Team), so this event was wonderful for them to actually meet the people they want to be,” she said. “The boys are having a blast.”
Schofield Barracks’ SRT opened up its tactical truck so keiki could walk through it and watch a brief safety video.
“This event offers information in so many different areas of safety,” said Jennifer Britt, a Porter Community resident. “It’s great.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Honolulu District showed safety videos about swimming pool and ocean safety.
“If you’re not from Hawaii and have limited knowledge about the ocean, you may not know the dangers and unpredictability of the ocean,” said Angela Jones, park ranger at USACE-HD’s Pacific Regional Visitor Center at Fort DeRussy. “That’s why we try to educate everyone through classes and events just like this.”
The American Red Cross offered first aid and emergency preparedness kits, as well as brochures about emergency shelter locations. Since June through November is hurricane season in Hawaii, IPC raffled items from the Red Cross to help residents get a head start on putting together emergency preparedness kits for their families.
Visit www.islandpalmcommunities.com/Calendar-of-Events to learn about upcoming events, such as National Night Out, Aug. 2, Schofield Barracks.
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