JANESVILLE — Monarch butterflies fluttered past children squealing in delight Thursday as they squirted water at law enforcement officers in a cordoned off corner of Janesville’s Town Square.
Around them, other children got a chance to shoot a fire hose, munched on hotdogs grilled up by Janesville police officers, donned plastic firefighter hats and played games, from basketball to lawn Jenga, spread across the lawn and blocked-off street.
It was Janesvilles’s second- annual Public Safety Splash & Cookout.
“We hope people enjoy it so we can continue doing it. My goal is to eventually move it to a bigger park to accommodate more people,” Janesville School Resource Officer Benny Rocha said.
The event, held at the Town Square, 69 S. River St., is part of an ongoing effort to build relationships with youth, offering a fun-filled day for officers and firefighters to interact with families in a relaxed and positive environment.
Janesville police vehicles blocked off South River Street from Dodge Street to West Court Street. A Janesville Fire Department truck and paramedic vehicle were on display. Children could use the hose from the fire truck to spray a wooden house and take out the “fire.”
Last year, the event was held in August. This year, it was moved to late June “so children could have something to do before the Fourth of July,” Rocha said.
He said a main aim was to break down barriers between children and law enforcement and other emergency responders.
“We dress down and get to their level so when they see our faces, they think ‘hey, I played a water game with this guy, he’s not a mean or scary person,’” Rocha said.
On one end of the Town Square, Janesville police officers grilled 350 hot dogs that were served with chips. Down the block, kids lined up to throw a ball at a dunk tank, sending Janesville Police Department cadets falling into the water. And elsewhere, kids explored a Rock County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and airboat.
Bobbi Fleegel of Janesville brought her 10-year old son, who hopes to grow up to be a police officer.
“He loves law enforcement and emergency vehicles,” Fleegel said, adding that the event was “just a really fun thing to do with kids.”
They have participated in other law enforcement events for kids, including Cops & Bobbers.
“They’re wonderful events,” Fleegel said as Rock County Correctional Officer Josue Echeverria helped her son up onto the air boat.
“We even have a little one with us and two firefighters ran out in front of him so he could squirt them, they’re all just really nice.”
At its tent, the Janesville Fire Department passed out red and pink firefighter hats, candy, stickers, pencils and temporary tattoos.
Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, sprayed kids with water from pump backpacks.
“The fire department brought them last year and they were a hit, so I asked them to bring them again,” Rocha said.
Rayleen Lawler, of Edgerton, whose daughter is a correctional officer, attended with her granddaughter.
“We came last year. The kids just love getting the officers wet,” Lawler said. “I wish we had more events like this for the kids, it’s just really great.”
Madeline Slater and Ty Qurian Howe, both of Janesville, brought Howe’s six siblings.
“Some kids don’t get the opportunity to come to stuff like this. Most parents don’t have money to go pay for their kids to do things, so this is great,” Slater said.
“It’s a good way to show appreciation and come together as one,” Howe added.
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