Stop in the name of fun: Worcester police host first Back-to-School Bash and Community Party at Institute Park

WORCESTER — Officer Patrick Bennett of the Worcester Police Department spent the better part of Saturday soaking wet. And he couldn’t be happier.

“This is my favorite part of the job by far,” said Bennett, who along with two other volunteers, was manning the dunk tank during the Police Department's first Neighborhood Back-to-School Bash and Community Party at Institute Park.

For many city students, the new school year begins Monday, so the Police Department decided to make the last weekend of summer vacation a good and fun one.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the park was filled with inflatable bounce houses, food trucks and excited children, with the periodic splash and accompanying cheer as an officer was dunked.

“After COVID, the kids haven’t had a chance to get together too often,” Lt. Sean Murtha said. “We thought it would be nice to have an event where everyone could have fun outside and have a good time before school starts.”

The idea for the party was originated by Police Chief Steven M. Sargent last fall, who had long wanted to hold a neighborhood summer party, but was stymied by circumstances surrounding the pandemic.

“We weren’t sure how to do this with COVID,” Sargent said. “We wanted to make sure we had a safe environment, but also where (kids) could run free and enjoy themselves.”

A different kind of truck — bright-green and adorned with various video game characters — sat beside the ice cream and food vendors, and proved to be popular draw for the schoolkids. The Unlimited Mobile Gaming truck carried a TV and consoles, where kids could play popular games with their friends and temporarily escape the sun.

“Yeah, I had mixed feelings about getting that,” Murtha said, “but the kids love it.”

From video games to horses

By about 11:30 a.m., however, two guests of honor arrived that possibly even eclipsed the video game truck — police horses Buster and Major, members of the Worcester Police Mounted Unit.

“Honestly, that’s what I was waiting for,” said Worcester resident Jana Bromell, who laughed as her son Dylan, 7, leaped to his feet to meet the horses.”

Added Sargent with a smile: “You gotta bring the horses.”

The WPD mounted division is relatively new, said Officer Jose Rodriguez from atop Major, having begun six years ago “from the ground up.”

Major has been with the WPD since the beginning, making him technically senior to Rodriguez, who joined three years ago. As the division is short-staffed for riders, Rodriguez said he rotates between the five horses.

“It’s hard to find people who want to ride horses,” he said.

Still, Major stands out among the equine members of the WPD with his no-nonsense attitude.

“He’s stone faced, just all work,” Rodriguez said, “but (Major) still loves the attention. They all do.”

Both horses and riders have to undergo intensive training to build up the necessary level of trust. “Believe it or not, these guys are scared of everything,” said Rodriguez, and a horse needs a high level of desensitization training before they can start work.

“Even stuff behind us, like a mile down,” he said, “might get his attention.”

As if for emphasis, Major’s ear’s swiveled almost 180 degrees, tracking noises from all around the park as he shook his head.

Despite their immense size being draft horse crosses, Major and Buster were gentle with their young fans, such as Lincoln Reed, 3, who was there with his parents and sister.

“It’s great for the WPD to put on an event like this,” said Justin Reed, Lincoln’s father. “It’s really good for the community.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Police host first Back to School Bash at Institute Park