Cities Hosting Open-House Events

Several cities across the county--including Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Placentia--will host open houses this weekend.

In Fountain Valley, the public is invited to an open house at the Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The department will present demonstrations by its SWAT team and canine units, as well as tours of the station and displays of police vehicles. Free child fingerprinting will be offered.

The Fountain Valley Police Department is next to City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave. Information: (714) 965-4400.

Placentia’s annual open house will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Civic Center complex. Activities will include tours of the Police Department and City Hall, a demonstration by Castor, the Police Department’s new dog, Fire Department rescue demonstrations and door prizes. The city’s recreation department will also have sign-ups for summer swimming, day camps and tee ball.

The Placentia Civic Center is at 401 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 993-8117.

The Huntington Beach Public Works Department will host its open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its facility, 17371 Gothard St.

The event will give the public a chance to view equipment and meet the people who maintain the sewers and keep the streets clean. Demonstrations of camera equipment used for sewer maintenance and a hazardous-material clean-up operation also will be offered.

The Laguna Beach police and fire departments have scheduled an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, offering tours of the departments and attractions for children. Visitors can tour the jail, crime lab, booking area and communications center. Personnel will demonstrate rescue operations.

Barney the Purple Dinosaur will entertain with songs and magic tricks. The first 100 youngsters to arrive can be photographed with Smokey the Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog or a police motorcycle. Guests will be offered free hot dogs and soft drinks.

The open house is being sponsored by the Laguna Beach Neighborhood Watch Inc.

The police and fire departments are at 505 Forest Ave.