Kids, Families, and First Responders Connect at Safety Expo in Chatham-Kent
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, a record turnout filled the John D. Bradley Centre for the Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers Children’s Safety Expo. Thousands of people of all ages attended the free event to learn valuable safety lessons while connecting with first responders and emergency services from across the community.
“It was wonderful to see children and parents engaged, having fun, and exploring everything the Children’s Safety Expo had to offer,” said Erica McIntosh, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “This was an interactive event where live demonstrations and conversations showed kids that they can take control of their own safety. That’s a powerful lesson as it helps empower them to make smart, confident decisions.”
Partners at the event included local, provincial, and Indigenous police services, firefighters, EMS, and several community agencies such as MobileCare, Chatham-Kent Student Transportation Services, and Linck.
Children also had the chance to meet a four-legged hero, Helix of the K9 unit, who wowed the crowd by completing an obstacle course alongside his handler.
“This was absolutely the largest expo of its kind that CK Crime Stoppers has held in recent years, if not ever,” McIntosh added. “We had everything from free popcorn provided by Galaxy Cinemas Chatham, to motorcycle challenge demonstrations, to the roof being ripped off a car during the Jaws of Life demonstration. We even had a full-sized rollover simulator to show kids the importance of wearing a seatbelt.”
McIntosh also highlighted the strong community spirit: “Along with our incredible partners and sponsors, I want to thank our volunteers who helped make the event possible. The outpouring of support has been truly inspiring.” The CK Crime Stoppers would like to thank the following emergency services and sponsors for all their support: Chatham-Kent Police Service, OPP, Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue, EMS, CKLASS, Moraviantown Police, LinCK, Abstract Marketing, Memorie Lane, Impact Graphics & Design, Chatham-Kent Charity Classic, Galaxy Cinemas Chatham, Crow City Coffee, Optimist Club of Chatham, Chatham-Kent Police Association, Flying Squirrel, and Smith Cycle.
While this year’s event has wrapped up, CK Crime Stoppers encourages residents to watch for upcoming activities, including concerts, crime prevention initiatives, and other family-friendly events. They also remind the community that Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards and guarantees anonymity for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest or charges.
For more information, visit www.ckcrimestoppers.ca or follow CK Crime Stoppers on Facebook and Instagram.
Parents and children watched as first responders used the Jaws of Life to transform a vehicle into a convertible. During the demonstration, educators described the different roles and jobs of everyone on scene, how the tools work, and provided important safety information.
CK Crime Stoppers Board member, Aaron Hurst, helping at the free fingerprint clinic for families. Participants were provided with a USB drive that contained fingerprinting records for their children, creating an important tool for identification. Crime Stoppers does not store any personal information.
