By Bruce Karnick [email protected]
The Hastings Police Department has a rather large Mobile Command Vehicle to use for large scale police events. The MCV was acquired in 2019 from the Minneapolis Fire Department and offers a large space to house an emergency response team during a crisis or any kind of disaster. It is also expected to be used during large scale community events to provide on-site emergency and public safety response.
Last week, Police Chief Bryan Schafer had different plans for the MVC. The plan was to decorate it with Christmas lights and drive through the neighborhoods to spread joy. The route they followed was the one created for the Holiday Lights tour from the City of Hastings. Initially the plan was to leave the PD on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. and be back sometime after 7 p.m. Like everything else in 2020, Mother Nature said, “Nah, not tonight my guy.”
A seven plus inch snowfall with 50 mph winds forced Chief Schafer to postpone the trip to Saturday evening. That is when Chief Schafer, Deputy Chief David Wilske, Commander Bryan Schowalter and the Chief’s grandson, Keagan would gather to visit 29 different homes on the light tour.
“Out of the 29 or so homes we visited, approximately half had someone outside waiting. That said, we saw many rushing to the windows and doors of their homes as we drove by. A lot of waves, videos, and ‘thumbs up’ during our passes,” Schafer said in an email on Monday.
“We had a great time! It took us about an hour and a half to do,” Schafer added.
Councilmember Lori Braucks and family were one of the groups outside supporting the drive by. In an email about the night, Braucks said, “Thanks for a great event, Chief!”
The Hastings Police Department’s Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) was decorated to visit homes on the Hastings Holiday Lights tour. On top of the MCV is Deputy Chief Wilske and left to right in front, Commander Schowalter, Chief Schafer and his grandson Keagan. Photo Courtesy of the Hastings Police Depart-
Councilmember Lori Braucks and family gathered to show their support of and earn super fan status of the MCV (and the staff) during the Holiday Lights drive by. Photo Courtesy of Lori Braucks.
