December 19, 2023
Spring and summer typically bring more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and a proliferation of outdoor events.
Community events are one of the top ways that law enforcement agencies can connect with their community, and represent a core component of community engagement programs.
Our partner departments indicate that over 88% of them utilize our materials at community events.
Here are three strategies for ensuring your department capitalizes on these events:
Let the community see and meet your officers. Having a booth at a community event allows people to see your officers’ faces, engage with them in person, and have a generally positive interaction with your department.
These are all core tenets of why community outreach and engagement are important to law enforcement.
This type of interaction would focus more on fun materials that are less about in-depth information and more about easy takeaways.
Our “Interacting with Law Enforcement” flyers are easy to distribute and provide some basic information on how the public can safely interact with officers in the field.
Another great option is to have coloring books available for kids and families. Our recently updated “Let’s Play it Safe” coloring book is a great tool for general safety tips for young children. We also provide packs of colors, and badge stickers to help round out your offering.
To take your booth past simple awareness, use the space to promote your community programs.
Whether it’s a “Coffee with a Cop,” Citizens Police Academy, or Open House, use the booth space as an opportunity to tell people about the more in-depth programs your department provides throughout the year.
Your booth will likely be busy throughout the event, but try to take some time to have an officer or two walk around and connect with the other organizations at the event.
This is a great opportunity to connect with businesses, nonprofits, and the other local first responder agencies in your community.
Use the event as a chance to both reconnect and deepen connections you already have, as well as to meet with new organizations and companies.
No matter which of these strategies you decide to use, we have the materials to ensure your space will be a fun and attractive stop for everyone in attendance.
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