COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police is teaming up with a local nonprofit in an effort to bring the community together.
The first in a series of summer block parties kicked off Friday at the Linden Community Center.
The event allowed families to enjoy food, games -- oh, and the opportunity to soak a Columbus police officer in a dunk tank, according to a release.
Residents in the Linden community are hoping more people will be willing to work with the police.
“Hopefully it'll open up more toward people talking to the police and telling them what's going on with these kids nowadays. We're losing too many of them; I've never seen this many kids dying in one year in all of my life,” said Vernella Hargrove, who was born and raised in Linden.
“It breaks down a lot of the barriers, so accessibility is one of our biggest issues in Columbus and what we're trying to do is have those free and open conversations and create a space that ideal for that. This kind of event does just that,” said Officer Shawn Lutz, Columbus Police Department
The parties will be held at Columbus Recreation and Parks Department community centers throughout the city.
The new series is made possible through a partnership with Columbus police and the Starfish Assignment, an organization that works to connect law enforcement with the community.
“We thought partnering with Columbus Recs and Parks, which are in the hearts of their neighborhoods, to hold block parties with CPD would be a great way for people to come together to get to know and understand each other better,” said Nicole Banks, founder of the Starfish Assignment.
The parties are scheduled to take place on the following dates throughout the summer:
- July 16: Barack Community Center (580 E. Woodrow Avenue), from noon- 3 p.m.
- July 23: Far East Community Center (1826 Lattimer Drive), from noon- 3 p.m.
- July 30: Glenwood Community Center (1888 Fairmont Avenue), from 4-7 p.m.
You can learn more about the Starfish Assignment here.