The Antique Fire Engine Parade, sponsored by the Kansas Firefighters Museum, 1300 S. Broadway, was a great success with an estimated crowd of 1000 and thirty mostly antique fire engines The route was north along Broadway from Boston to Lincoln, around the block and back to the Immanuel Baptist Church parking lot on Topeka.
The event was so popular that it is being planned as an annual event. Mark your calendars for October 4, 2003 for next year's parade.
Afternoon activities included a static display of the fire equipment and an 1884 Button Steam Pumper demonstration. A memorial service in honor of Kansas Fallen Firefighters was held in the evening,
Videotapes of the event can be purchased at the Kansas Firefighters Museum.
South Broadway Area Focus For Community Police
This last month, Officer Diehl and Lisa Kilbourn, Office of Central Inspection, have set a 2002-03 goal for the South Broadway area. They plan on focusing on Beat 24, which is Pawnee north to Harry along Broadway, and address all housing and code violations. We feel this will improve the lifestyle and make Broadway look more presentable and a give a feeling of pride. A meeting was held at Patrol South this month with the South Broadway Hotel/Motel Association. A total of 12 motels were presented and it was a very productive meeting, with the owners giving the police department input and working together to decrease illegal activity in their businesses.
Officer Diehl is also working on putting together a program to furnish turkey dinners to needy families for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday.