Families flocked to the Centereach Mall on Saturday for a day of safety, fun, and community support at the Cops Helping Cops Community Event, part of the “Walmart Gives Back” initiative.
The program brought together numerous first responders and agencies, including the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk County Police units, Centereach Fire Department and Ambulance, State Police, and even an FBI mobile command center.
Attendees participated in interactive demonstrations such as Operation Safe Child ID cards, the State Police’s “Convincer” seatbelt simulator, CPR training, and car seat safety checks. Teens also tested the “Drunk Buggy,” a hands-on simulator that demonstrates the dangers of impaired driving.
Families enjoyed free food donated by Olive Garden, raffles sponsored by local businesses, bounce houses, and a video gaming trailer from Biz Gaming, while children explored first responder vehicles and met police dogs, firefighters, and paramedics.
The day's highlight was the collaborative presence of Suffolk County’s Aviation Unit, Highway Patrol Camaro and Mustang, S.W.A.T., K-9, and Marine Units, offering the public a rare chance to see the full range of emergency response capabilities in one place. Participants were awed by the landing of a county police helicopter.
Chris Lyons, founder of Cops Helping Cops, explained that the event was designed to give the community a closer look at the resources available to keep them safe. “With National Night Out, you only ever see a fraction of what’s out there because agencies are scattered,” Lyons said. “Here, we brought everyone together — from the FBI straight on down — to show the community just how much these men and women do for them.”
Participants also enjoyed free samples of popular snacks and drinks, with tables full of favorites such as M&M’s, Snickers, Doritos, Lay’s, Pepsi, Red Bull, and many more. From sweet treats such as Twizzlers, Reese’s, and Kit Kat to refreshing beverages like AriZona Iced Tea, Monster Energy, and Liquid Death, there was something for everyone to enjoy throughout the day.
The event, made possible with the support of Walmart and local partners, is expected to become an annual community tradition.