Irvine police invite public to open house

The public can get a peek inside the Irvine Police Department during an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31.

The city is hosting the event at its law enforcement headquarters to celebrate Irvine’s 10th consecutive year as the American city with the fewest violent crimes per capita for any city with more than 100,000 residents, according to an announcement.

“The open house will feature Police Department tours, an opportunity to meet officers and K-9s, and see displays of patrol cars, motorcycles and other police vehicles,” Irvine police spokeswoman Farrah Emami said.

There will also be kids’ activities, including a hands-on simulation of a crime scene investigation, junior dispatcher training and a bicycle safety rodeo for those who bring their own bikes and helmets, Emami said.

Food trucks and other vendors will be selling hot dogs, gourmet sliders and shaved ice.

The event also coincides with an essay-writing contest for middle-schoolers.

Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades can enter by writing a one-page essay on the topic, “What it Means to me to Live in a Safe City.”

Essays can be submitted by email at [email protected] and must include the writer’s name, grade school and a phone number for a parent or guardian.

The submission deadline is noon Jan 23.

The top three essayists will be announced at the open house and must be present to win.

More information is available at cityofirvine.org.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck