The Corpus Christi Police Department hosted an event called, “Operation: Safe Return” at West Guth Park Saturday to help prepare the children in the community to safely return to school.

The event was organized by police officers Brenda Garza and Emily Perez and had a variety of information about health and safety available for those who attended. Senior Officer Emily Perez did not have any estimated numbers of attendants, but said the event began at 10am and there were 750 bracelets given to children before noon.

The bracelets were provided to permit children to the pool at no charge. The Operation Safe Return provided free school physical exams, free school supplies, nutrition information, anti-bullying information, vision screening, and $10 immunizations among other benefits to participants.

Officers Garza and Perez said they were pleased with the response from the community and thank all the vendors that donated time, services, and products for the back to school event. A second event is in the planning stage that will be held on the south side of Corpus Christi in late August.