Pocantico Truck Day Featured Helicopter, Police Dogs, Tractor

Pocantico Hills School students screamed with delight as the Westchester County Police Aviation Unit circled the property in a Bell 407 helicopter and landed on the soccer field on PTA Truck Day May 10.

The visit was one of the many highlights of the annual event. Others included meeting police K-9 dogs and their human partners, climbing into a tractor, sitting in the back of an ambulance, and watching the Elmsford Fire Department’s “Tower of Power” ladder platform extend 100 feet above the ground.

First-grader Colin Garrett said he liked the helicopter – a Bell 407 – the best. It was the first time he had gotten so close to a helicopter. “From far away it didn’t look like much, but then up close it was really cool,” he said.

Detective Izzy Lopez and Officer Sean Lonergan asked children if they knew in what circumstances police use a helicopter. The students suggested it could help find someone who got lost or was stuck somewhere while hiking. The helicopters can also be used for police chases, to help fight brush fires, and many other situations.

Fifth-grader Maggie Kearney was impressed by the helicopter, but the K-9 dogs were her favorite. “All the dogs are so awesome,” she said. “They are probably the best part because they’re so cute and fluffy.”

State Trooper Meredith Govoni brought her partner, K-9 Lexy, to visit with students. The 4-year-old German shepherd is certified in narcotic and cadaver detection, tracking, handler protection, and building and article searching. She lives with Ms. Govoni, who described her as “the best partner I’ve ever had.’

“When she does a good job, I tell her she’s a good girl and she gets to play with her toy,” the trooper said.

The New York State Police brought a rollover simulator with dummies in the seats to show the difference between when someone is buckled and not buckled. An unbuckled young child flew out the window during the simulation, and parts of the unbuckled adult dummy’s body were outside the car window.

"The students had a wonderful time touring and learning about the different types of vehicles that are a part of our community,” said Annalisa Altieri, president of the Pocantico PTA. “They also learned about the various career and volunteer opportunities from the many individuals they met.”

The PTA and Pocantico School District are thankful to the following agencies and organizations for making Truck Day a success:

--Elmsford Fire Department

--Empress Ambulance

--Glen’s Towing

--Greenburgh Police Department and K-9 Unit

--Mount Pleasant Police Department and K-9 Unit

--New York State Police, and NYS Police K-9 Unit

--Pocantico Hills Fire Department

--Stone Barns

--Village of Sleepy Hollow Department of Public Works

--Westchester County Police Aviation Unit.