WENDELL — Following a two-year hiatus, Wendell Public Safety Day returned May 7.
Due to the pandemic, the event was curbed in 2020 and 2021, providing additional excitement for this year. Hundreds came out to the event, held in downtown Wendell on W. Campen Street. 
There were numerous activities for children, including an inflatable slide and moon bounce, along with free food and drinks.
“I like the slide because you can go straight down really fast,” said Sophie Lehman, 5.
The Wendell Police Department, Wendell Fire Department and Wake County Sheriff’s Office all had booths at Public Safety Day, providing information to those in attendance.
“It’s a great event,” Wendell resident Matthew Bills said. “It’s a way for the community to interact with officials and the kids can also have a great time.”
William Carter, Wendell Police Chief, said events like this mean a lot, both for fun and to bring residents together with first responders.
“This is a chance for all of us in public safety to interact with people without needing to respond to a call,” Carter said. “We get to see the kids, have fun with them and really engage the public.”
Carter said it’s a mindset officers must have on a regular basis — not just for this event.
“When we’re out working, we still want to engage the community,” Carter said. “We want to stop and talk with the kids. It’s been a theme with this department from this to our Camp Choices event we put together. For us, it’s all about having good involvement with the community.”