Mounted unit greetings
Crimson Salmons of Bellefontaine, left, pets Columbus Police Department Mounted Unit horse “Maddie” Saturday, alongside Sabrina Salmons, and her son, Axyl, age 1, during the Bellefontaine Police Department’s ninth annual Community Safety Event at Southview Park. “Maddie” and “Legend” and their handlers detailed the various duties of the mounted unit in Columbus and some of the benefits of officers riding horseback in crowded spaces and the height advantage it affords. The Community Safety Event featured a variety of local, state and federal safety-related agencies and emergency responders, with hands-on activities for families, from K9 demonstrations to medical helicopter take-offs and an impaired driving simulator. A dunk tank on site for the first time also raised funds for drug use prevention programs and provided a chance to cool off on a hot afternoon. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
Boating expertise shared
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Officer Mike Roeger, left, answers questions from Donna Stevenson of Bellefontaine and Danielle Schroth of Tiffin, showing them good locations for kayaking on a map of Indian Lake, during the Bellefontaine Police Department’s ninth annual Community Safety Event Saturday at Southview Park. Also looking on is ODNR Wildlife Officer Adam Smith, who serves Logan County. He explained that the boat pictured is an electroshocking boat used by biologists, including at Indian Lake, to sample lakes and rivers around Ohio. The boat produces electricity, which is used to stun fish so that they float to the surface and samples can be collected. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)