The flashing lights and blaring sirens coming from sidewalk alongside Hy-Vee Tuesday were all in fun, as the Perry Police Department’s second annual Kids Night Out was held from 5-7 p.m.
“This is a chance for citizens to visit with members of the Perry Police Department and to show their support for all they do,” said Larry Vodenik, Hy-Vee community events coordinator.
Begun in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, the annual community-police awareness-raising event is held the first Tuesday of August, with the object of making neighborhoods safer, better places to live.
Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn said he enjoyed the opportunity to host an event that helps bolster relationships with the community.
“This is a great chance for us to meet with people, especially kids, and let them know a little bit about us and what we do,” he said. “Sometimes we are known just for bright lights and loud noises and this lets them (children) see we are people, too. We want everyone to know they can approach us and reach out to us, that we are part of the community just like they are.”
While some adults visited with Chief Vaughn, Assistant Chief Jim Archer and Officer Laura Deaton, it was the youngsters who were clearly the stars of the show.
Deaton broke the ice with the more skittish, using a smile and friendly demeanor to reassure those who were a little nervous about approaching the Perry PD SUV or talking to someone in uniform.
“This is so important,” Deaton said. “We want children to know that the loud noises are not scary and that we are just like them — we like to laugh and be playful and do things just like they do. It is important for the kids to see us as people, as someone they know, someone they can trust.”
A steady stream of youngsters climbed all over the patrol vehicle, with Deaton showing them how to activate the flashing lights and various siren versions, all of which brought big smiles.
Some were given the chance to speak over the public address microphone, eliciting hearty laughs.
Hy-Vee treated the entire Perry PD to lunch Tuesday and made sure there were plenty of frozen treats to pass around. Youngsters also received stickers and, if they wanted, temporary tattoos.
Deaton, who will reach her fifth year on the force in November, said face-to-face interactions with school children were invaluable.
“They need to know we are not just loud noises or someone who is going to put someone in jail,” she said. “Doing things like this gives them a chance to laugh and smile with us and see we are regular people and this is just our job.”
