The Owensboro Police Department is working to create positive and fun interactions with the community through a new summer initiative, Police in the Parks. The first event was Wednesday, where officers grilled and played games with the local residents at Dugan Best Recreation Center.
OPD Public Information Officer Dylan Evans noted the agency already hosts Coffee with the Cop, but they wanted something that attracts the whole family during the summer months.
“We figured why not come out here, grill some hot dogs, or throw around a football and play some basketball with the citizens of Owensboro,” Evans said.
Several community members joined the officers in conversation and fun Wednesday. Evans said they were able to learn about different challenges that families are seeing in the community.
Evans said that the officers will discuss ways to address those issues, but that wasn’t the main goal of the event.
“We work for the citizens of Owensboro. So any chance that we get to interact with them on a positive note is something that we strive to do on a daily basis,” he said.
Evans said the initiative will continue throughout the summer, though OPD doesn’t yet know when or where the next event will be. Evans said to head to their Facebook page to learn more.
In the meantime, they will continue their Coffee with a Cop event to maintain conversations with the community.
