Cool tools to keep kids safe

May 14--STOCKTON -- Weber Point in downtown Stockton was full of first responders providing residents with information and tips for staying safe in the community on Saturday.

Stockton Police Youth Activities and the Child Abuse Prevention Council hosted the annual Public Safety Day, an event promoting safety and awareness.

Members of the Stockton Police and Fire departments, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office were on hand to showcase vehicles such as mobile incident command centers, Special Weapons and Tactical units and fire engines.

Stockton Police Department's K-9 unit also demonstrated the training and skills of dogs such as Lazlo and Max.

"For us, it's another good opportunity to do some community engagement," Stockton Deputy Chief Trevor Womack said. "Outside of the great atmosphere this creates, it provides benefits and generates awareness of groups that participate."

New York Life Insurance Company provided parents with free fingerprinting and identification cards for their children.

Anna Vargas, a Stockton resident, said it was great to have the service as a precaution.

"I know (my children) are never going to get lost, but in case it happens, their height and weight and a description is on the card," she said. "(New York Life) takes all the information and they give you a CD to take home and you print the cards yourself."

Her 9-year-old daughter, Aleena, said her favorite part of the day was to sit inside the SWAT vehicle.

"It was cool," she said. "I've never been in a SWAT car, and I've always seen them in movies."

Also enjoying the SWAT vehicle was 2-year-old Benjamin Hudson Vu, who was given a grand tour by his dad, Khanh, an accountant with the Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Mom Theresa Dang Vu said the event gave the family a chance to support her husband's company and an opportunity for their young son to meet new people.

"It's just great seeing the community come together in support of keeping kids safe," she said. "Any time we as a city can come together is a great thing."

The day was capped off with the fourth annual Duck Derby, where about 1,000 rubber ducks were dropped into the water and pushed by fire hose to the finish line.

Doug Dinijan's duck cross the finish line first, and he won a $1,000 prize. Bradley Mark's duck took second, earning a $500 prize. Charles Smith's third-place duck won him three suites at a Stockton Ports game.

Toward the end of the day, about two dozen people gathered at the steps of City Hall across the street from the event for a rally calling for change in policing.

Dionn Smith-Downs and Denise Friday, whose sons died at the hands of police, were on hand with parents from around the state for the peaceful rally that lasted just an hour.

Earlier in the day at about noon, people were praying for peace at the local Fatima Anniversary Rally, also held on the steps of city hall.

Police officials said about 1,000 people came out to Weber Point for the Safety Event, which is about average each year.

"The weather was perfect, and it was well attended," Womack said. "Overall, it was just a great day."

-- Contact reporter Wes Bowers at (209) 546-8258 or wbowers@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/bowersblog and on Twitter @WBowersTSR.

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