Police opening fire hydrants to cool off kids

For many heading to the local pool is one way to beat the heat. This isn’t an option for some. The Richmond Police have worked with the city to provide a little relief for those that might not have access to a pool.

With recent high temperatures soaring into the nineties, the Richmond Police Department has come up with a plan to help children in the city stay cool. During the heat wave, RPD officers will be opening water hydrants on hot summer afternoons in several city neighborhoods. They started today.

RPD Chief Alfred Durham recruited other city agencies, the Department of Public Utilities and the Department of Public Works, to make the process possible.

“I remember as a child when they would open the hydrant in my neighborhood so we could play in the cool water,” said Chief Durham. “We looked forward it so much. I’d like to thank DPU and DPW for working with us to make it happen.”

The hydrants will be opened for two hours at a time on a rotating schedule until temperatures moderate in these Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority communities:

• Creighton
• Fairfield
• Gilpin
• Hillside
• Mosby
• Whitcomb

RPD officers will open and close the hydrants and will monitor each location for safety issues.