{"id":14892,"date":"2012-06-17T16:07:11","date_gmt":"2012-06-17T23:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=14892"},"modified":"2012-06-21T00:08:18","modified_gmt":"2012-06-21T07:08:18","slug":"chili-cars-and-community-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2012\/06\/17\/chili-cars-and-community-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Chili, cars and community fun!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Palmdale Community Relations Deputy Robbie Royster braved the dunk tank Saturday as part of the Public Safety Expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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16-year-old Matt Arnold from Simi Valley entered his homemade recipe in the Chili Cook-off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

PALMDALE \u2013 Hundreds of residents came out Saturday for some family fun at the annual Palmdale \u201cPublic Safety Expo\u201d held at the Antelope Valley Mall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of the different opportunities we have in the sheriff\u2019s department, the different things that we\u2019re doing in the community, and to have a good time,\u201d said Lt. Paul Clay.<\/p>\n

Attendees had a good time sampling homemade chili, gawking at custom vehicles and dropping deputies in a dunk tank.<\/p>\n

More importantly, residents became acquainted with the various units of the sheriff\u2019s and fire departments, including Search and Rescue, Traffic Services, Sheriff\u2019s Racing Team, Urban Search and Rescue Unit, LA County Fire Engine Companies, Volunteer mounted Unit, Palmdale Stations Explorer Unit, Antelope Valley CERT, LASD Traffic Services Unit, LASD STAR Unit, and many more.<\/p>\n

Representatives from the various units answered questions and offered recruitment information.<\/p>\n

Palmdale resident, Melissa Gomez, came out to learn more about becoming a sheriff\u2019s deputy. The 16-year-old said it was a field she was strongly considering.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like being part of the community, I also like being athletically fit and using that talent,\u201d Gomez said. \u201cAnd guns interest me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Members of the Special Enforcement Bureau answered questions at the expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Women are in demand at the sheriff\u2019s department, since less than 18% of its 10,000 deputies are female, said Custody Assistant Katherine Keelin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never have enough women,\u201d Keelin said. \u201cWomen take care of the families so it\u2019s difficult to keep them in the department.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keelin said many women don\u2019t know that there is no upper age limit to becoming a deputy and that every unit in the department must have a female deputy.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom canine to arson explosives, every unit has to have a female, \u201c Keely said. \u201cIf women have any inclination to be in law enforcement they should give it a try\u2026 it\u2019s an amazing career.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff’s department recruitment unit will be hosting a “Women in Law Enforcement Career Day” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Sheriff’s Training Academy, located at 11515 S. Colima Road, Whittier, CA 90604. Women curious about a career in law enforcement are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Deputy Amore Smith at 1-800-A-DEPUTY or (562) 347-1025.<\/p>\n

And the winners are\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Palmdale Sheriff \u2013 Partners Against Crime won the “Most Spirited Booth” honors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The winners of the Public Safety Expo Chili Cook-Off are as follows:<\/p>\n

JUDGES’ CHOICE<\/strong><\/p>\n