The Bakersfield Police Department hosted a community outreach event at Silver Creek Park on Saturday.

The event was aimed at addressing issues and concerns in West Bakersfield. Members of the bomb squad, K-9 unit and traffic division were all present.

The event also featured a bomb squad robot, and officers let people respond to calls for help through a simulation machine.

"The police department is a resource for them, we are not here to be a brute force," Rachel Rivera, community services specialist said of west side residents.

"We are really trying to be more approachable, so we want kids to come out and meet officers and we want parents to come out and know that we are really a resource for the community."

Officers will also be hosting an event on the east side of town; the date and time for that event have not yet been released.