It was a Happy Halloween for over 120 young girls and boys who had the opportunity to Trick-or-Treat with real police officers at the Department of Public Safety.
Since 2008, the department has opened its doors to students from the Anna Bing Arnold Day Care Center for a morning of candy and fun. Each department staff member was dressed in costume and greeted each child with a handful of candy and a goody bag.
The Centro de Niños y Padres—a center for students at risk with disabilities— recently joined the Trick-or-Treat Event and was able to receive an escort to and from the building with officers from the Alhambra Police Department.
“This is a very good event for my daughter who was just diagnosed with Autism,” parent George Cazares told the UT. “I love that I am welcome to Trick-or-Treat with my little girl at a friendly place since I work at nights.”
Each and every staff member was overjoyed to provide a safe and welcoming environment to students who may not have the chance to go out and celebrate the holiday like most children do on Halloween.
“This is the nicest thing to happen to our family. This event is for lovers of kids and us adults are pleased to see their smiling faces,” Maria Andrade Moberg, Director of Centro de Niños y Padres expressed.
Up and down the halls of the building were filled with entertaining props and each door dressed with colorful decorations as visitors of all ages passed through. The children were excited to walk beside police officers and enjoyed seeing the ‘grown-ups’ dressed up but, of course, their favorite part was the candy and popcorn.
Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety, Rick Wall, dressed as Woody from Toy Story and spent his time playing the role. He is grateful to be in his fourth year of participating in the event and enjoys interacting with the children.
“Our department volunteers their time and money to decorate and provide goods for the kids…we take our costumes very seriously and even hold a contest,” Wall told the UT. “We just want the kids to be entertained and have fun as they walk through our offices.”
It’s important to the department that the children on the Cal State LA campus feel loved and involved in special activities, especially during a holiday that’s directed towards kids.
“Our department staff looks forward to this event every year just as much as the children do,” Director of the event, Carmen Gachupin said.
