La Mesa Police Department's KidzWatch Safety Academy Enrollment Ends Soon

The 6-week program teaches children ages 6-9 important safety lessons before the March 6 deadline.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The La Mesa Police Department is hosting its annual KidzWatch Safety Academy, a 6-week program that provides children ages 6-9 with a variety of safety lessons, including personal safety, fire safety, awareness in natural environments, and more. The enrollment deadline for the popular program is Friday, March 6.

Why it matters

The KidzWatch Safety Academy is an important community program that helps teach young children valuable safety skills and awareness. It also provides positive exposure to law enforcement, firefighting, and other public safety careers, which could inspire some children to pursue those paths in the future.

The details

The KidzWatch Safety Academy has been running for over 15 years and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participating families. The program features hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences led by public safety professionals. While the academy is open to all children ages 6-9, the La Mesa Police Department tries to prioritize first-time attendees each year to give as many new participants as possible the opportunity to experience the program.

  • The KidzWatch Safety Academy is a 6-week program.
  • The enrollment deadline for the 2026 program is Friday, March 6.

The players

La Mesa Police Department

The local police department in La Mesa, California that hosts the annual KidzWatch Safety Academy.

Lieutenant Travis Higgins

A La Mesa Police Department officer who oversees the KidzWatch Safety Academy program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents consistently report that their children enjoy the hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences. Many families appreciate the opportunity for their children to engage directly with public safety professionals in a fun, safe, and educational environment. The event has become something many families look forward to each year.”

— Lieutenant Travis Higgins, La Mesa Police Department (La Mesa Courier)

“For first-time attendees, we encourage families to come ready to participate, ask questions, and have fun. We do see repeat attendees within the 6–9 age category, which speaks to how much families enjoy the program.”

— Lieutenant Travis Higgins, La Mesa Police Department (La Mesa Courier)

What’s next

The enrollment deadline for the 2026 KidzWatch Safety Academy is Friday, March 6.

The takeaway

The KidzWatch Safety Academy is an invaluable community program that teaches young children important safety skills while also providing positive exposure to public safety careers. With the enrollment deadline approaching, it's a great opportunity for families in La Mesa to get their children involved in this fun and educational experience.