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It's not every day you see a police officer in full uniform pretending to be a bunny rabbit.
But that's exactly what happened during a Farmers Branch Teen Leadership Camp activity. After a Q&A session covering all things law enforcement, the agenda quickly shifted to a friendly competition. During a fast-paced game of Bunny, players shout commands and quickly assume the roles of a rabbit’s ears or face, trying not to get eliminated. A rookie patrol officer and a seasoned investigations lieutenant jumped right in. For a few minutes, the badge, uniform, and equipment took a back seat to laughter and fun.
It's moments like these that help build relationships between Farmers Branch police officers and the people they serve.
Community outreach is about more than attending events or demonstrating equipment. It's about getting to know neighbors, answering questions and building trust before an emergency ever happens.
For some residents, seeing a police officer in uniform can be intimidating. Community events offer an opportunity to meet the people behind those uniforms in a relaxed setting.
Officers are parents, neighbors and community members, too. Many have families of their own, and some grew up right here in Farmers Branch.
Officer McKemie, who has served with the Farmers Branch Police Department for 28 years and currently works in Criminal Investigations, particularly enjoys National Night Out.
"I lived in Farmers Branch for more than 50 years and have worked as an officer for nearly half my life. National Night Out allows an opportunity to return to the neighborhood where I grew up and meet people who live where I once lived. It's fun to catch up with former neighbors and friends and reminisce about the old days in Farmers Branch," McKemie said.
Those personal connections are what make community outreach meaningful.
One National Night Out neighborhood host shared appreciation for the time city employees spent visiting with residents.
"Thank you so much for working with us! We had such a great experience with everyone who stopped by last night. It was actually one of our biggest turnouts for our neighborhood party, and we loved how the city employees stayed for extended periods of time with us."
Through events such as National Night Out, Teen Leadership Camp, Fall Fest, and other neighborhood activities, officers have opportunities to interact with residents outside the circumstances that typically bring someone into contact with law enforcement.
Children can explore police equipment, learn about drones and motorcycles, and discover the technology officers use in their work. Adults can ask questions, share concerns, and get to know the people who serve their neighborhoods.
The conversations don't have to be about crime.
Sometimes, simply playing a game, talking about a motorcycle or sharing a laugh can make a lasting impression.
The department also works with other city departments, including Parks and Recreation, to create opportunities for residents of all ages to participate.
Community safety works best when residents feel comfortable asking questions, sharing information, and approaching first responders. Those relationships cannot be built during emergencies alone.
And while police officers are one part of keeping Farmers Branch safe, they're not the only familiar faces residents should get to know.
The firefighters and paramedics of the Farmers Branch Fire Department also serve the community in moments when trust, communication and a reassuring presence can make all the difference.
For young children, a firefighter wearing protective gear and a breathing apparatus can be frightening. That's why the Farmers Branch Fire Department's "Firefighters Are Your Friends" program introduces preschoolers to the equipment, sounds and people they might encounter during an emergency.
Children watch firefighters put on their gear and learn that behind the mask is someone there to help.
The department's outreach extends well beyond preschool. Its Branch Brigade clowns and characters bring fire safety lessons to elementary schools, while the Fired Up for Literature program rewards fourth-graders who read the most during a two-week period with a ride to school on a fire truck.
For teenagers, the Fire Department is expanding its Teen Fire and Rescue Academy in 2027 to include Carrollton, Addison and Coppell. Participants will experience different rescue specialties through the four departments.
Adults can get involved too. The 10-week Citizen Fire Academy, beginning Feb. 25, offers a behind-the-scenes look at firefighting and emergency services. Graduates also can volunteer for department programs.
But outreach isn't always about learning how to fight fires.
The Knox HomeBox Loaner Program helps residents who live alone, have mobility limitations or are prone to falls. A secure key box allows firefighters and paramedics to enter a home quickly during an emergency without forcing entry. Citizen Fire Academy volunteers help install the boxes.
The department also is introducing an eight-week Matter of Balance fall prevention program for older adults at The Branch Connection beginning Dec. 2.
Residents can visit fire stations for blood pressure checks when crews are available, schedule station tours or participate in quarterly community CPR classes. The next CPR class is Nov. 12.
These programs reflect the Fire Department's commitment to preventing emergencies, not simply responding to them.
They also create opportunities to meet the people who may one day answer a call for help.
Sometimes that happens at a community event or in a classroom. Other times, residents might encounter firefighters shopping for groceries during their 48-hour shifts. One of the questions the department hears most often is who pays for those groceries. Firefighters pool their own money to purchase ingredients for meals they prepare and share the station. The city does not pay for their food while they are on duty.
Whether it's a police officer playing a game with teenagers or a firefighter helping a child overcome a fear of protective gear, the goal is the same: building relationships that make Farmers Branch a safer, more connected community.
A list of Police Department programs can be found online here.
To learn more about Fire Department programs, contact firesafety@farmersbranchtx.gov or call 972-919-2640. Fire Department programs can be found online here.
