By Bruce Karnick

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National Police Week is a week to honor our law enforcement agencies around the country. This year, it was held May 9-15 and Hastings celebrated with a public safety night on May 12.

Portions of Second Street East were closed to allow Hastings Police, Fire and EMS, along with the various county and state partners, to set up displays for residents to explore. Police cruisers of all types, SWAT tactical vehicles, boats, Hastings Mobile Command Center, fire trucks including the ladder truck, Dakota County’s Drone Division, Hastings K9 Unit and countless volunteers spent a few hours interacting with hundreds of visitors.

A young man named Henry had just climbed out of the armored SWAT vehicle, so the logical question to ask was, what do you think of these police vehicles?

“They’re AWESOME!” Henry proclaimed.

His favorite was the armored SWAT vehicle. He knew, “The SWAT team goes in back.”

The turnout was strong for a Wednesday night during a pandemic. The residents that made it down enjoyed the interaction with the officers and the officers enjoyed it as well. It was a great community event and a wonderful way for residents to meet and see the humans behind the badges and to get a look at all the cool vehicles used to keep us safe.

Kinsley and Henry explored the armored SWAT vehicle then paused to pose for a picture. This was Henry’s favorite vehicle of the night. Photo by Bruce Karnick

Ali and Nicky inspected the airboat used by the county for patrolling the back waters before they took turns as the pilot. Photo by Bruce Karnick