Filipe daSilva (RIGHT) of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department, shows how K9 Robika will not let go of Officer Josh Wunschel until given the proper command, not even if pulled by the leash, during a demonstration at the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven Police and Fire held a National Night Out event on Tuesday, 8/6/24, welcoming the community to meet officers and firefighters, witness some cool demonstrations, play a few games, and explore police vehicles, including a cruiser and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle).
The event, held on the lawn of Fairhaven High School, was part of a national program to promote police-community partnerships, bringing police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Fairhaven’s own K9 Blue gave a demonstration of how he finds narcotics and signals his handler, Officer Jillian Jodoin, that he has found something. Children had a chance to throw the ball around for Blue as a reward for him after his hard work.
Two K9 Handlers from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department also gave K9 Robika a chance to demonstrate how he latches onto a suspect, with Officer Josh Wunschel donning a protective sleeve while Robika’s handler Filipe daSilva gave the commands.
Officer Jodoin told the crowd the telltale signs that Blue exhibits before he sits, signaling that he has found narcotics.
“When dogs are working, the really do turn into a different dog,” said Officer Jodoin.
Officer daSilva said Robika is a “bit of a goof” when he’s not working. At home, the kids can play with him and have fun with him. But, as the demonstration showed, when he is working, it’s a different story.
Police also demonstrated the capabilities of the department’s drone. Officer Ryan Benoit sent the drone high above the high school and then turned its camera all the way to the hurricane barrier in New Bedford, and zoomed in on people on the ground at the high school.
He explained to the children crowded around him that they use the drone to search for suspects and lost people.
To learn more about National Night Out, visit https://natw.org.
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- Raphael tries out the fit of a police ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) during the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven Police Officer Jillian Jodoin explains to the crowd that K9 Blue sits down when he detects narcotics in the box during the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven Police Officer, Ryan Benoit, demonstrates how the department’s drone can zoom in on people from far away, during the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Austen DeSousa tries her hand at the fire hose under the watchful eye of Firefighter Ryan Amado at the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven Police Officer, Jay Tavares shows Alice some of the features of a police cruiser during the National Night Out celebration in Fairhaven on 8/6/24. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here for this week’s issue: 08-08-24 NationalNightOut
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