By The Scene staff
It was an event designed to make Forest Park students and other young people in St. Louis aware of career opportunities in law enforcement, emergency medicine and public safety technology.
But the Regional Public Safety Workforce Convening alarmed some students and employees because of the large display of police and emergency vehicles and even a bomb squad truck.
General transfer studies student Dominic Appleton, 22, said the sight made him feel “paranoid.”
“Why is there a bunch of cops here, bro?” he asked.
The event took place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sept. 15 in the theater building. Vehicles were displayed along Highlander Drive, between campus and the Hampton Inn hotel.
The event was sponsored by the Regional Business Council, an organization that promotes education, career development and safe communities.
Speakers included officials from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Eureka Fire Protection District and Missouri Department of Public Safety, according to a Facebook post promoting the event.
The display of emergency vehicles prompted Forest Park President Julie Fickas to send an email to employees at about 9:15 a.m. that day to assure them that campus was safe.
“We have a Regional Business Council event on campus today where they are showcasing careers in criminal justice and emergency medical services,” Fickas wrote. “This includes a truck from the bomb squad to showcase the many different careers available.
“I was informed that this has created concerns and wanted to make sure that you are aware of this event. Please let me know if you have any questions.”
Fickas later told The Scene that she hadn’t been aware that the display was going to include a bomb squad truck. Lt. David Berryman, commander of Campus Police at Forest Park, said the event was a good way to showcase opportunities in law enforcement.
Graeme Ryan contributed to this report.