Crime & Safety
Photos: Essex County Police Expo
Police showcase vehicles and equipment, as well as make presentations at annual event.
Patrol cars, horses and motorcycles were just some of the modes of transportation featured at the annual Essex County Police Expo, which was held at the Livingston Mall on Saturday.
Livingston's police department, as well as others from various towns in Essex County, were on hand at the event that gives police and the public a chance to interact for educational purposes. Firefighters and members of the National Guard were there, too. McGruff, the crime dog, made an appearance. So did Batman, to the crowd's delight.
Throughout the day, officers gave various crime prevention demonstrations, including one on Internet safety. There was fingerprinting for children, too. As part of the Kid Care Child ID Program, parents could also obtain a photo of their youngsters for identification purposes.
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The annual Expo is sponsored by the Essex County Crime Prevention Association and highlights the work and capabilities of law enforcement on the local, county and federal level throughout Essex County. The Expo, which has been a tradition for over a decade, corresponds with the start of National Police Week, which culminates on Peace Officer Memorial Day on May 15.
Peace Officer 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. On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1792, nearly 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
