Event designed to connect citizens and police a success
TEXARKANA,Texas — Police officers from both sides of the city met with citizens, sharing breakfast and a hot cup of Joe, carrying on conversation and connecting.
“This is about building partnerships,” said Lt. Scott Megason of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department.
The event was held at and organized by Signature Care Emergency Center, 2001 Mall Drive. Both police officers and care center personnel reported a steady stream of citizens Friday morning.
“It has been pretty good,” said Megason. “The idea of this event is to share some quality time, talk about life in general, talk to the people about their lives, neighborhoods and families.”
Megason said that this is about police officers connecting with the citizens who make up the communities in Texarkana.
“We are here to build relations, make connections,” he said. “In fact, such efforts are key to us being able to do our job. Our agency utilizes community policing. We get out of the cars, talk to the people, play with the kids. It is about humanizing the badge. This is all to bring the community together. We need to work together, let each other know we are here for each other. This involves everyone, the police, other local civic organizations and our local businesses.”
Brittany Haynes, marketing representative of Signature Care Emergency Center, said as the community emerges from the pandemic and people begin interacting in public once again, events like these help the community reconnect.
“This is a chance to do something nice,” she said. “First responders, police officers, enjoying casual time with the public. I’d say folks got together, talked, things have gone pretty well.”
(Signature Care Emergency Center is open 24-7. Originally called Neighbors, they have 20 locations, with headquarters in Houston, Texas. Coffee for the event was provided by Taste N’ See.)