By MATT PIKE
The City of St. Joseph will hold its third Community Health and Safety Fair on Saturday at Patee Park and the surrounding area.
The city previously held events in the College Hill Park neighborhood, and this summer at John Lucas Park. St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says the previous events were very well received by the community.
"The second one, just a citizen coming up to me saying, hey appreciate the presence, appreciate everything the city has done, and that goes for all of it, for Parks and Rec, and codes, and health, appreciate everything the city has done in our neighborhood," Luster says on the KFEQmunnity show. "And she said I feel like it's very safe to take my kids to the park again, so things like that you don't get to put a tick mark on a stat sheet but are very important to our community and our community stakeholders."
During the Health and Safety Fair on Saturday, the St. Joseph Fire Department will be on hand, handing out smoke detectors, St. Joseph Police and city code enforcement will also be there to help out residents.
"Our health department is also an integral part in that, they'll be there with some of the resources they provide, also animal control is typically there, and then we also have just our nonprofit partners that show up and set up a table," Luster explains. "So, things like your health screenings, substance abuse resources, mental health resources, all those partners are at the table, so it's a good way to come out and see actually what's available in the community."
Along with resources, there are several other activities that will be at the event for a day of fun as well.
"Try to make it fun," Luster says. "Usually, you can come pick up some swag at the tables, some stress balls and things like that are laid out, there's going to be a bounce house at this one, and maybe the opportunity for some kids to get some candy from what I'm hearing, so it should be a really good time, looks like weather is going to be good for it, so we're hoping a lot of folks come out and join us."
Luster says they hope to do at least two of these Health and Safety fairs per year. Areas where the events are chosen using various data points, along with mapping tools that identify neighborhoods that may benefit from these concentrated improvement efforts.
The Health and Safety Fair at Patee Park will run from 4am to 2pm. It is designed for residents living in the Patee Park neighborhood, bounded by South Ninth to South 18th streets between Messanie Street and Mitchell Avenue, however Luster says everyone is welcome to attend.
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