Gulfport officers connect with kids at Police in the Park

Officers from the Gulfport Police Department invited area kids to the Gaston Hewes Recreation Center for Police in the Park Saturday.

It was a perfectly mild morning when the officers showed up at 11 Saturday morning.

Police and community groups like Extend a Hand, Help a Friend grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, made art, and played on the playground.

Sgt. Jason Ducre says events like this help police build a rapport with kids in the areas they patrol. The department held a similar event back in August at the Goldin Sports Complex. Sgt. Ducre said, “We want kids to know we’re here to help. We’re not the bad guys, we’re good guys and we want them to see us in that light. Not just on their worst days, when their car has been broken into or they’ve gotten into an accident. We want them to see, hey, we’re here and we’re fun. You know. We’re just like you.”

The department’s diversity team helped the event come to fruition earlier this year.