Vernon police visit Walnut Ridge preschoolers
VERNON — Township Police Department Lt. Daniel B. Young, K9 Officer Cpl. William Gebhard, and Police Dog Hobbs visited a group of Walnut Ridge preschool children on Tuesday, April 15.
The visit was in addition to the school’s ongoing Adopt-A-Cop program.
The presentations included an introduction to police equipment and apparel, as well as a close up introduction to Young’s police cruiser. Subjects covered during the morning and afternoon sessions included bicycle safety, black bear safety, stranger danger, and the scope of the job of a police officer.
Young also touched on the Eddie Eagle Gun Safe program that teaches firearms safety through avoidance. The primary lesson is that, “If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”
Young next went outside to his police cruiser that was parked outside the classroom windows and turned on the car’s flashing lights and then gave a quick blast of the car’s siren. The car also was equipped with the department’s new license plate reader cameras.
During his presentation, Young used his handheld radio to call in to the department saying, “Twenty-two, forty-three” to which the police dispatcher responded wishing the children at Walnut Ridge a big “Hello” and best wishes.
The second half of the program featured a chance to meet K9 Officer Cpl. Gebhard and Police Dog Hobbs “up close and personal” and included the chance for the kids to pet Hobbs. The police dog is a 1-1/2-year-old male German Shepherd and weighs about 95 pounds. The dog’s primary job is to find missing people.
Walnut Ridge Principal Rosemary Gebhardt was very appreciative of the department’s efforts to help the children.
“The Vernon PD provides programs K-12 that are educational and teach students ways to be safe,” she said.
The preschool program is currently focusing on a community theme. One of the educational hands-on learning centers in the preschool classrooms is the police station. Teachers have been discussing safety and different aspects of a police officer’s job. Young came into school to further discuss these topics with the children. The children were able to ask him questions about his job.
The Vernon preschool program will focusing on the community helpers for the next few weeks. The remainder of the school year will focus on the different aspects of the farm.