Residents had the chance to meet local officers, explore police equipment and learn about careers in law enforcement during the annual National Faith and Blue Weekend event, aimed at strengthening community-police relationships.
“It’s an annual event where the police department partners with houses of worship in a collaborative manner or collaborative fashion, to have a collective event where the community can engage with the police in a positive way,” Detective Lieutenant James Pettenato said.
Officers set up interactive stations in the parking lot of St. Agnes Cathedral showcasing gear and equipment used in day-to-day law enforcement operations. A wide range of tools were on display to help residents better understand the department’s work.
“We bring all of the cool and exciting gadgets and gizmos over the police department now, and that way the community can see the police, see what we have, the tools of the trade,” Pettenato said. “It’s a positive atmosphere here, but if they need us when maybe things are not so positive, they’re comfortable to reach out.”
Beyond fostering dialogue, the event served as a career exploration opportunity for attendees of all ages.
“We have opportunities to learn about more jobs at the police department,” the officer added. “There are other lesser known jobs, such as a police medic, a police mechanic, school crossing guard. We have the Explorer Youth Program, which is a co-ed youth program for young adults aged 14 to 21.”
Spot, the robot dog from Boston Dynamics, was one of the event’s standout attractions. The department primarily uses the robot for reconnaissance, as it is equipped with various cameras and a gripper arm similar to their bomb squad robot. However, Spot is limited in its lifting capacity, able to carry only about 30 pounds, making it better suited for light-duty tasks rather than heavy recovery operations.
The robot can also be outfitted with radiation detectors and five-gas meters, allowing it to be deployed into hazardous environments, such as warehouse spills or potential bomb threats, without putting officers at risk. While it can drag a person in emergencies, it is not ideal for full recovery situations due to its limited strength.
As one of the department’s newest tools, Spot is still being worked into the regular equipment rotation. The system is considered intuitive, though some personnel still prefer using the older robots or simply putting on a protective suit for certain situations. Despite this, Spot remains a crowd favorite at events like this one, where the technology can be showcased in a more approachable and engaging setting.
With families exploring patrol vehicles, robotics, and educational booths, the event brought an upbeat, approachable face to policing — and gave community members a deeper understanding of the tools and people who serve them.
