Special to Iredell Free News

Members of Girl Scout Troop 13179 have been working hard to earn their Safety Awards Pins. To finalize their requirements, they made a special visit to the Mooresville Police Department on May 30 to learn more about safety and security.

Before going, the scouts made a snack mixture of dried fruits, nuts, cereal, pretzels, and chocolates to give to the officers as a way to show gratitude for their service to our community.

Crime Prevention & Community Outreach Officer Dave Harding provided the troop a behind-the-scenes tour of the police headquarters.

During the tour, the scouts:

♦ Visited arrest processing and the holding cells to learn about how suspects are processed;

♦ Explored a patrol car, noting the difference between the patrol car and their parents’ cars;

♦ Visited the administrative area of the police department, squad room, and weight room; and

♦ Learned about the important role that telecommunicators play in the operation of the Police Department

Officer Harding reiterated many times that they protect and serve because they care about the citizens.

The girls were very engaged, had many great questions, and their excitement and enthusiasm were contagious.

“MPD wishes to thank all of the Scouts, leaders and parents for a wonderful visit. Besides the interesting and appropriate questions that the scouts asked, all of them were very well-behaved during the entire visit,” Officer Harding said. “The Mooresville Police Department conducts over 600 crime prevention and community outreach events a year. All these events have the goal of building relationships between our community and the Police Department and to teach our community how to be safe.”