Skip to content

Video: Estevan police creating memorable birthdays during pandemic

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has come up with a new community engagement initiative for children celebrating a birthday.
police logo

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has come up with a new community engagement initiative for children celebrating a birthday.

(Video courtesy of Angela Clements)

The COVID-19 pandemic has dashed the hopes of young people looking to have a birthday party with their friends, thanks to the need for social distancing and the restrictions in place for crowd sizes, both indoors and outdoors.

“One of the things that we’ve seen happening in other communities that we thought we could bring to some of the children and youth in our city is a bit of a birthday shout-out,” said Monica Rae, the community programming officer for the Estevan Police Service.

The EPS recognizes birthdays look different than they did a few weeks ago, so the EPS is encouraging the public to let them know about a youth’s birthday. They’ll go to the house of the birthday child, and drive by while honking their horns, and with their sirens and lights on.

“It lets them know that we’re thinking of them while they’re adhering to these really important guidelines,” said Rae.

The EPS posted the plan on Twitter Thursday morning, and have since received requests. One video was posted on social media on Saturday afternoon for a 15-year-old girl, Sahara, in honour of her birthday.

Rae said the EPS isn’t sure how many calls they’ll get. If officers get other calls for service, those will obviously take priority, but the EPS will accommodate as many birthday wishes as possible.

The initiative has been received in a very positive fashion in other communities, and Rae hopes it will be supported here as well.

Those who would like to make an arrangement for a birthday visit from the EPS can call 306-634-4767 or send them an email.