PHOTO BY TYRA GREEN
The Stockton Police Department hosted a community barbecue on April 24 in the Eastland Plaza on Wilson Way.
The barbecue was held as a form of community outreach to try and boost the community’s relationship with the police department.
“We hope for community involvement with the police and partnership building,” said Stockton Police Lt. Augustin Telly.
The department brought out some police horses, a SWAT car, and a replica of an old police car. Attendees were able to go into the SWAT car and look over the event through the roof hatchet.
Children that attended were able to pet the horses and play different games with officers, such as ring toss, cornhole, and giant Jenga.
“We try to hold a minimum of one event every month spread out geographically throughout the city,” said Telly.
The first 250 attendees got free hot dogs and hamburgers, along with drinks. There were games for the children to play with the police and a recruitment table set up. The table offered information about to get involved in the police academy
“I like how this brings the community together and it feels welcoming,” said Iliana Da Silva, a Stockton resident.