Kara Conroy of Great Valley, N.Y., carefully put one foot in front of the other, doing her best to walk in a straight line.
At times, she veered partly off the red tape stuck to the floor.
No, she wasn’t drunk. She appeared to be, however, as she completed the activity during the 32nd annual Law Enforcement Awareness and Familiarization Day on Wednesday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
In the end, it turned out that Conroy would’ve failed a sobriety test administered by police if she were under the influence of alcohol, she said. The activity gave people an opportunity at LEAF Day to see what it would like to be drunk and walking the line — all by putting a pair of goggles on.
“It’s all just a big blur,” said Conroy, who is studying criminal justice at the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services of Ellicottville, N.Y.
More than 22 agencies were showcased in LEAF Day in the Frame-Westerberg Commons that provides people a chance to see the ins and outs of law enforcement, said Pitt-Bradford police Chief Dan Songer.
“It’s a wide field anymore,” he said.
And more so, LEAF Day helps break down barriers that exist between law enforcement and young people, Songer said.
As often the case, young people are hesitant about talking to law enforcement personnel. LEAF Day lets students know that law enforcement officers are “just as human as the next guy,” Songer said.
Elsewhere at LEAF day, a group of students were talking with state police troopers. Ridgway-based state trooper Bruce Morris told the young women about the profession — from undercover work to when forced is used on someone.
“It’s a good job. It’s a fun job,” he said.
Talking to the state troopers gave Pitt-Bradford student Sarah Marvin a change of heart about becoming a state trooper — just a little. Still, she said, she is leaning toward being an adult probation officer.
“They were really informative,” said Marvin, who is a criminal justice major from Olean, N.Y.
Marvin said she enjoyed talking to law enforcement officers face to face. Also at the LEAF Day, she also found the K-9 unit fascinating.
“I really like dogs, and I didn’t know they would be here,” she said.
This was the first time she attended LEAF Day, Marvin said.
Not everyone who attended the annual event focused on the typical law enforcement. Some, like Andrew Barr, 17, of Smethport, who is a home-schooled student, was intrigued by the presence of the state conservation officer.
Barr said he loves the outdoors, and that he archery hunts for deer, and he enjoys bicycling.
He is thinking about a career in the outdoors, and he learned about job opportunities.
LEAF Day also included several firsts.
The state Liquor Control Board alcohol education specialist Mary Beth Wolfe had a table at the event — the first time the state agency attended the event. She passed out education to students about alcohol, including on alcohol poisoning. Students think a friend who passes out after drinking will be all right, but Wolfe said that such an incident could lead to death. That individual could have alcohol poisoning.
A federal probation officer set up at LEAF Day, as well. Probation officer Michael Howard said he explained the job’s duties to students. The probation officers are employees of the court, and some of the supervision goals are the enforcement of the conditions of a sentence and providing or arranging for correctional treatment for the offender.
LEAF Day dates back to 1981 after being enacted by former Chief of Police George Barron to promote various law enforcement agencies and educate students on possible careers in diverse branches of law enforcement.
