Tug of war a cross-border police battle
An annual tradition that pits local police against their American counterparts returns to Niagara Falls, Saturday.
The Law Enforcement Tug of War, which takes place at 2 p.m. at the centre of the Rainbow Bridge, will be a battle of brawn between Niagara Regional Police and members of the Niagara Falls (N.Y.)Police Department and Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
The event, in its 55th year, is not only a test of strength, but it also demonstrates the collaboration and co-operation that exists between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.
“It’s all about camaraderie,” said NRP Sgt. Tony Mummery, captain of the 34-member NRP team.
New this year is a women’s event during which the NRP’s 25-member women’s team will take on a women’s team from the U.S.
“The women were interested in pulling so I suggested we meet with the American ladies and see if they were interested,” Mummery said. “The interest was overwhelming.”
The captain of the women’s team is Mummery’s wife, Det. Const. Sara Mummery.
“They’re very strong,” he said. “I think they’ll take it in two.”
Members of the public are invited to line the bridge to show their support. Passports are required to walk out onto the bridge.
The tug of war is one of the first of several events to be held across the region to celebrate Police Week — May 12 to 19. The theme for this year’s campaign is Celebrating Policing and Community Partnerships.
Other Police Week events include:
• Saturday: Community safety event at Niagara Safety Village in Welland from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be personnel and displays of equipment from the NRP as well as Niagara Emergency Medical Services, Welland Fire and Emergency Services and other community partners. The NRP will unveil its precision motorcycle team.
• May 17: The Motorcycle Ride for Dad team will host a barbecue at NRP headquarters in Niagara Falls 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to raise funds for prostate cancer research. The recruiting unit will host an information session starting at 6 p.m., also at police headquarters in Niagara Falls.
• May 17: Police in St. Catharines will host Crisis Collaboration that Works at St. Catharines Public Library 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The presentation will highlight initiatives such as the Crisis Outreach and Support Team and Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team.
Also, police in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake will be going door to door, sharing information about the Lock it or Lose It campaign, while officers in Port Colborne and Welland will be liaising with local schools.