What is an example of a non-traditional public safety service?

Animal control services are considered a non-traditional public safety service because they primarily focus on managing and protecting both domestic and wild animal populations as well as ensuring public safety concerning animal-related issues. This role goes beyond the typical expectations of police, fire, or emergency medical services, which traditionally focus on human safety and emergency responses.

Unlike civilian defense training, which directly relates to preparing citizens for emergency situations, or neighborhood watch programs, which involve community engagement to prevent crime, animal control addresses specific issues such as animal cruelty, stray animals, and public health problems related to animals, showing a broader definition of public safety that includes the welfare of animals. Additionally, while traffic enforcement deals with vehicle safety and compliance with road rules, it is a more conventional aspect of public safety. Thus, animal control represents a specialized, yet essential, element of public safety not typically classified under traditional emergency services.