Law Enforcement Day

District 5-A

By Sr. Agent Joey James

On the morning of June 1, 2002, Allen Parish held their first annual Law Enforcement Day. What a productive event for having a fun gathering with all the other law enforcement agencies. This event was coordinated by Jeff Manuel with the Allen Parish Sheriff's office and Sheriff Hal Turner. This annual Law Enforcement Day was promoted for a fun and safe day for children from Pre-K through the 6th grade.

The issues discussed included stranger danger, drug awareness, fire safety, gun safety, finger printing and boating and water safety. A total of 248 children attended. Sr. Agents Keith Aucoin and Joey James and Cadet Steven Vidrine, attended this event representing the Enforcement Division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The children had a great time. They were broken up into fifteen to twenty groups and each law enforcement agency spoke to each group of children for a fifteen-minute time span. Afterwards, the children were given door prizes and treated to hot dogs, chips and cold drinks. Then they headed outside where there were outside activities. They included face painting, a dunking booth, a fun jump contest and awards. Attractions included the air med-helicopter, drug dogs, Aces baseball mascot and McGruff the crime dog.

This was a spectacular day for talking to the children about water safety and boating safety. I can just picture next year, because I think this is a law enforcement event that will expand. All gifts and food were from donated from area businesses. Below are pictures of this annual law enforcement event, with all law enforcement agencies and the children that attended. What a Great Day!

Photo 1 Sr. Agent Keith Aucoin, Cadet Steven Vidrine and Sr. Agent Joey James at the Law Enforcement Day held in Allen Parish in June, 2002.

Photo 2 A group of children that attended the Law Enforcement Day.

Photo 3 Representatives of the different law enforcement agencies that attended the first annual Law Enforcement Day.