BY ROD HANSEN

The best way to promote public safety is by taking it directly to the people.

That is the theory behind the Goffstown Police Department’s Public Safety Day, which returned for its sixth annual event on Saturday, April 14, at the Hannaford’s parking lot on Mast Road.

“This is a chance for us to show people what the Police Department does, and what other town departments do. We try to keep it interesting and make sure there’s plenty of stuff going on,” said former police Captain Glenn DuBois, who organized the first event seven years ago.

Public Safety Day has become an annual spring tradition for the department, though the day was canceled last year due to the Mother’s Day floods.

Several local and state agencies were represented at this year’s return engagement.

Those organizations included the Goffstown Fire and Police departments, the Community Emergency Response Team, the Department of Public Works, the Marine Patrol, the American Red Cross, New Hampshire State Police, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, the Goffstown Police Explorers, the Dunbarton Police Department, with a special 1968 Chevelle used for public events, and the Bedford Police Department.

There was also a strong animal presence at the safety day, with horses from the Manchester Police Department Mounted Patrol acquainting themselves with local children. The Goffstown Police Department Canine Unit performed a demonstration at the event, with officer Keith Chauvette leading police dog Rex in a simulated apprehension.

Goffstown Sgt. Pierre Pouliot assisted in that activity, wearing a special sleeve for protection while Rex, a German shepherd, bit him on command.

Pouliot served as organizer for this year’s event. He had made the arrangements for last year prior to the cancellation due to the weather.

“We were lucky to get a good day for it this year,” Pouliot said.