Rexburg police department gets to know more about special needs community
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REXBURG — Each year Upper Valley first responders take time to personally get know local special needs citizens.
The Rexburg Police Department hosted it’s sixth annual Special Needs Picnic at Porter Park this week, alongside firefighters and members of the community with the special needs.
“It’s definitely good to get them out in the community to interact with other people. (They like) interacting with cops and people in the fire department, they really look up those people,” Development Workshop life instructor Nick Anderson said.
During the picnic officers made hotdogs, gave rides on golf carts and taught them about their equipment.
“We have turnout gear for people to try on if then want. They can certainly get inside the fire truck and see what it’s like. They can jump in the back of the back of the ambulance and see what paramedics do. It’s just to kind of give them a taste of what we do,” Assistant Fire Chief Troyce Miskin said.
Christy Dearden who has special needs, said she enjoys coming to the picnic with her family each year. She said her favorite thing to do is visit with police officers.
“I’m getting to know what they do for their duty,” Dearden said.
Rexburg Police Chief Shane Turman said the idea for the picnic came about after he had the chance to speak with a group of special needs individuals. He said he had initially felt nervous to get to know those with special needs prior to starting the picnics.
“I didn’t know what to expect, because I hadn’t been around a lot of special needs and I knew that my officers had that same thing,” Turman said. “I thought special needs people may also be scared of us if situations come up, so I thought why don’t we have a day we could get together and just get to know each other.”
Miskin said the picnic shows the special needs community that first responders care for them and are here to help.
“I think it’s good for us to interact on this level with them. They need to know that we’re not scary that we’re nice guys, and that we care about them. As a community we support them and they’re a valuable part of us,” Miskin said.
Turman said the picnic has become an event he and his officers look forward to every year.
“They are the most wonderful people and they love you unconditionally. This becomes the greatest day of year for me actually and for many of my officers,” Turman said.