This week has been National Police Week, and the theme this year is “Committed to Serve Together.”
To educate the public on safety and bring more awareness about what policing entails, the Richmond RCMP held two public engagement events this week.
National Police Week began in 1970 as a way for police officers to connect with the community and increase safety awareness.
Richmond RCMP set up three booths at the Minoru Centre for Active Living on Thursday to bring awareness to various safety issues and answer questions about policing.
Cpl. Roy Wong with the Richmond RCMP was at the event giving out safety advice, for example, highlighting the RCMP’s free bicycle registration program.
“Another program we have allows people to come in and look inside a car to see if there are items that might tempt someone to break in,” Wong explained. “We want you to identify items you should not leave so that you don’t become a victim.”
These might be money, wallets or phones.
The RCMP also had a Q & A session for younger children, where winners got prizes such as lollipops, paper hats and stickers.
Additionally, RCMP had an operational police car on display.
“We opened it up for children and families to sit down in the driver’s seat to see what’s inside a police car and where we have to secure a person for their own safety,” Wong said.
Wong noted they held a similar event in Hamilton on Tuesday.
“We are proud to serve in our communities,” he added.
Wong also gave some tips for citizens, reminding them to pay attention to cross the road at zebra crossings, use e-scooters safely and understand the rules of the road to ensure everyone's safety.
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