- December 14, 2024
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As part of Police Appreciation Week, which starts on Sunday, May 13, the Volusia Mall brought in law enforcement officers from around the county to educate the public on the jobs they do and why they do them.
On Saturday, May 19, a Back the Blue event gave visitors at the mall the chance to speak with officers from the Port Orange, Daytona Beach and Sheriff's departments and see firsthand some of the items, and one of the dogs, they have for work, including a robot from the Volusia County Sheriff's Bomb Squad.
Volusia County Sheriff's Bomb Squad Sergeant A.J. Pagliari was speaking to people about how the squad deals with suspicious devices and let the public know that the county has this element in place. He had brought in the robot to show how it can be used when there is a threat of an explosive. Pagliari was one of the individuals called in at the Daytona Beach International Airport after a man's bomb threat caused more than 200 peoples' flights to be delayed.
"We just want people to know that they can be at the mall, they can be at the airpot, they can wherever they need to be and know that it's a safe place and that if anything were to happen we'll be there as soon as we can and we'll take care of it," Pagliari said.
Volusia Mall Marketing Director Kristina Circelli said that the event was important to build strong and positive relationships with local law enforcement while also including a community engagement element.
"The great thing about our Back the Blue event is that it’s fun and educational for all ages," Circelli said. "Whether you’re meeting a real bomb-sniffing K9, checking out a robotics display, seeing inside a cop car or speaking with deputies about what they do and how they help the community."
One person answering questions for his four-legged partner was Randy Carlson, with the Sheriff's Bomb Squad, who was with his K9 Bizsū. While many of the questions were for and about Bizsū, Carlson said the event was a way to teach the younger generation about the law enforcement departments around them.
"It's good, especially for th kids, to let them know the resources they have, especially nowadays," Carlson said. "If you can change a kid's perspective that we're here to help them, that they can come to us if they need help, then that makes all the difference."
