Hot Springs police prepare to host Bridging the Gap event

Hot Springs police are preparing to host their second annual Bridging the Gap event May 20, but HSPD Cpl. Kirk Zaner says he sees it as maintaining the good rapport that already exists between the police and the community.

“I’ve always said we have an awesome community here,” Zaner said. “I think we have a good relationship between the community and police department and that’s because we’ve worked hard and got out there and met with and talked with the people. This is just one of the many functions we do to keep that rapport and relationship alive and well.”

The “completely free” event is once again being held at Kimery Park, 250 Kimery St., from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, offering “a day of fun and food” and featuring representatives from the HSPD, Garland County Sheriff’s

Department, Hot Springs Fire Department, LifeNet, the Arkansas Army National Guard, Marine Reserves and Army Reserves, who will all be “bringing assets,” Zaner said.

“Last year we put this together to just build unity between the community and police department,” he said, noting it “came on the heels” of all the officer involved shootings and shootings of police officers around the country.

He said it was held in September and they had “a good turnout,” with about 1,000 people, but “it was extremely hot.” He said they wanted to pick a better time this year and intentionally picked May 20 because it is also Armed Forces Day, prompting them to reach out to all the military in the community.

“We are hoping to get a Blackhawk (helicopter) there, but that’s not confirmed. LifeNet will be bringing their helicopter and the Army Reserve are bringing their EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) robots. There will also be the Humvee ambulances.”

Cpl. Joey Williams said there will be an autism booth providing information and “they will be bringing kids with special needs such as autism to interact with the first responders.”

Williams said Wal-Mart, one of the event’s major sponsors, would be bringing its “cybersecurity road show” to “help educate people on cyber safety and how not to fall victim.”

He said Wal-Mart was also donating a lot of the food and water, noting it will be serving hot dogs, chips, drinks and desserts such as cookies.

Hot Springs Animal Control will be bringing “puppies and adoption papers,” Zaner said. “We would really like to get some forever homes for some of these puppies.”

Numerous activities will be available for children, including two bounce houses, a dunking booth, climbing wall, K-9 demonstrations, SWAT vehicles and “we’re working on a DJ” to have music and “to direct people to various activities,” Zaner said.

“With this kind of event, we want people to look past the uniform and put a face and a name and a heart to the first responders they interact with,” Williams said. “People are more likely to cooperate with the department and be more interactive with us if they recognize us and know who we are and realize we’re people, too.”

Williams said overflow parking will be available in the east parking lot of Hot Springs High School with Intracity Transit buses, including one that’s ADA accessible, on hand “to shuttle people back and forth.” He said there will be uniformed officers working traffic and stationed at the school to provide security for vehicles parked there.

Zaner said last year’s event was held on a Sunday, which “I think limited our crowd. You didn’t see a huge turnout from the churches because it was on a Sunday. The weather being nicer should also help. We didn’t advertise it that well last year either so we’re hoping for a much bigger turnout this year.”

An alternative date is scheduled for June 3 at Hot Springs Airport “if by chance we have bad weather,” Zaner said.

He said Bridging the Gap joins other events such as the National Night Out, Boo with a Badge on Halloween and the Citizen’s Police Academy “to maintain that rapport and get to know the community. We call on the community to help us all the time. We need them. If we’re not reaching out to the community we’re not doing our job.”

Sponsors for the event this year were WalMart, including local stores and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Nabisco, Flower’s Bakery, Merritt Wholesales and Hayes Rental.