• Officer shows riot shield to children

MERIDAN TOWNSHIP - This night before Halloween, kids dressed up in costume and went out to learn tricks while eating treats. Though the tricks they were learning were not how to make mischief, but instead how the police implement the various tools of their trade.

The police department was transformed into a spooky Halloween open house, with the walls lined with drawings done by the local elementary school students. The kids that arrived would point out the art that they did as they moved to the different stations.

The officers took the kids around the police station and showed them evidence gathering tools, the booking station and police cars. In addition, the kids also enjoyed treats including the archetypal doughnut, and a guest appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog.

Patrol Officer Taya Catherwood shares why the police department does open house, "Anytime we have the opportunity to reach out to [the community], they enjoy just as much and reach out to us and it just makes it a good time."