Livingston first responders working to make sure local children see police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel as people they can turn to when they need help by hosting a Trunk or Treat.
Livingston Police Department Sergeant Joseph Harsh said the event gives children a chance to interact with first responders under positive circumstances before they might encounter them during an emergency.
“We just want them to be comfortable around us and not to be scared,” Harsh said, “To see that we’re just normal people and even maybe see us as the person that gave them candy that day and trust us in case they need our help.”
Harsh said that familiarity can become important when first responders encounter children during frightening situations. He said he has worked crime scenes where officers have had to coax children into coming with them because the children were afraid of police.
“They’re more likely to either call for help or ask for help or come to us and if we need to get them out of a situation, they’re not scared of us and trying to hide from us,” Harsh said.
Harsh said the Trunk or Treat will bring police, fire and EMS personnel together so families can interact with the people who respond to emergencies throughout the community.
“I just hope that they just see us as regular people and somebody they can come up and talk to and shake our hands and get stickers, and they’re not afraid of us, and I hope the parents can see that we’re there for the kids and everything too,” Harsh said.
Children will be able to collect candy, ask first responders questions and explore police vehicles, an ambulance and a fire truck during the October 29 event.
The First Responder Trunk or Treat will run from 5-7pm in the front drop-off area at Livingston Academy. Families should park in the student parking lot on the right side of the school and walk to the event. Melvin Johnson Drive will be closed to through traffic.
