Police and Public Safety Expo

Today the annual Essex County Police and Public Safety Expo will be at the , 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This funfilled event will feature live demonstrations, and displays throughout the Mall from local, county, state, and federal agencies.

The Expo will also present numerous safety programs including the Kid Care Child ID Program, sponsored by the , which provides parents with an opportunity to have their child fingerprinted by the as well as obtain photos for identification purposes.

“The Expo is hosted and sponsored by the Essex County Crime Prevention Officer’s Association” reported Gary Mankowitz, President of the Association. “This event not only helps inform the public on what is involved in providing the community with safety and security on a daily basis, but it also provides a networking opportunity for the different agencies throughout Essex County who volunteer their time for this Police and Public Safety Expo.”

, appearances by Batman and McGruff the Crime Dog, canine and mounted police units, law enforcement and fire department vehicles, child seat safety inspections, the St. Barnabas Fire Safety House, and the landing of the New Jersey State Police NorthSTAR helicopter.

“The Expo is a reminder of the hard work and dedication of those who put the public’s safety, and security before their own,” continued Mankowitz. “Traditionally, the Expo corresponds to the National Police Week (May 9-15), and is an opportunity for residents to remember, and honor those, both locally and nationally, who have put their lives on the line to protect their communities.”

National Police Week ends on the Peace Officer Memorial Day on May 15. The Memorial Day was created in 1961, and signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, to remind the public of the dangers and sacrifices of America’s law enforcement Officers.  It is estimated that on average one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours.  Nearly 19,000 U.S. law enforcements officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the safety of its citizens.  In respect to those fallen in the line of duty, residents, government buildings, and businesses are requested to fly their American Flags at half-staff on Peace Officer Memorial Day.

Residents are invited to come down to the Livingston Mall for this FREE, fun-filled event, and meet the people who keep their community safe, in Livingston and throughout Essex County.  For more information on Livingston D.A.R.E./Community Policing, go to the Township website.  Click on Police in the left hand column.  The Police Department is located at the Municipal and Police Building, 333-357 South Livingston Avenue.