The City of Richardson’s Public Safety Expo will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m.-noon at Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Road. The free event gives residents an opportunity to meet Richardson Police and Fire Department personnel, see public safety vehicles and equipment up close and learn more about safety and emergency preparedness.
The Expo is designed to give the public, especially children and families, a closer look at the people and equipment used by Richardson’s first responders. Attendees can meet police officers and firefighters, ask questions about their work and explore vehicles and specialized equipment that are not typically available for the public to see up close.
Planned activities include a demonstration by the Richardson Police Department’s UAS, or drone, Team. Members of the K9 Unit will also be at the event, along with members of the SWAT Team and Bike Unit. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get an up-close look at a helicopter. Police and fire vehicles will be on display throughout the event.
For younger attendees, the Expo provides an opportunity to become more familiar with police officers, firefighters and emergency equipment in a casual setting. Seeing first responders and their vehicles outside of an emergency can help children better understand what police officers and firefighters do and what to expect if they encounter them during an emergency.
City departments and other organizations will also have informational booths with resources related to public safety and emergency preparedness. Character appearances are planned, including Chase from Paw Patrol and Nat the National Night Out Knight. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Public Safety Expo is one of the Richardson Police Department’s activities leading up to National Night Out, which will take place Tuesday, Oct. 6. National Night Out is an annual community-building event that encourages residents to connect with neighbors and local public safety personnel.
In Richardson, National Night Out is typically marked by neighborhood gatherings throughout the city, giving residents another opportunity to meet police officers, firefighters and other City representatives while strengthening connections within their neighborhoods. The Public Safety Expo serves as an early opportunity for residents to learn more about the departments and programs that support those efforts.
Together, the Expo and National Night Out are intended to increase awareness of public safety resources, encourage communication between residents and first responders and provide practical information families can use to prepare for emergencies.
For more information about the Public Safety Expo, contact the Richardson Police Department Community Relations Unit at 972-744-4955.
