BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Usually when police, fire, helicopter and water rescue units gather in one location, it can only mean bad news.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, however, those groups came together at the Bow Community Center to educate residents about who they can turn to in case of emergency.
The Public Safety Fair had a variety of activities, including K-9 unit and helicopter flight demonstrations, and informational booths about various emergency and safety departments.
Steve Moltisanti was one of the many visitors to the fair, along with his wife Laura, and 2-year-old daughter, Nataliee.
“I thought it would be helpful to come down, check out the fair and show that we support these people,” he said. “The helicopter and dog demonstrations were very interesting to see.”
Also at the fair was Lea Foley, her daughter, Samantha Foley, 11, and her friend, Hannah Berman, 11, whose father, Eliot, is a member of the Bow Fire Department.
“It’s extremely important to know who we have in the community that we can rely on,” said Lea Foley. “Our Police Department comes to the schools on a regular basis, which I think teaches the children a respect for authority, and also not to be afraid. It’s good to have the children be familiar with the people who are going to be there if they need help.”
Bow Police detective Jim McIntire, one of the event’s organizers, was happy to see the turnout of young people at the event.
“The important thing is that it’s interactive,” he said. “They get to touch and sit in the equipment and not be afraid of the police officers and firefighters. People are able to see these (officials) as normal guys.”
Although McIntire wasn’t able to put a definite number on how many people attended the fair, there was a steady flow throughout the day and the police department was able to give away all 55 youth T-shirts they brought to the event by early afternoon.
Hannah Foley, 11, was glad she attended the event.
“I really liked to see the dogs and learn how they help the police,” she said. “(Learning about the different departments) is really important because it tells us a lot about different emergency things.”