Amid the ongoing push for higher community-police rapport, the Tampa Police Department's Black History Committee is stepping up, quite literally to the block party beat. Set to celebrate Juneteenth, the committee is throwing a summer bash at Perry Harvey Park, complete with all the trimmings of a local shindig—vendors, nonprofits, special recognitions, and the American classic, raffle prizes.
"This year’s theme, ‘Black History 365’ emphasizes the importance, of continuous community engagement"—a timely reminder from the Committee, as it appears on the department's official announcement. Since 1988, they've been the historical glue trying to bond the police force with the public they swear to protect and serve, not just with festivities but with a more impactful commitment like scholarship opportunities for Tampa's high school students.
The Tampa Police Department is banking on these gatherings, like the one on Juneteenth, to stitch together solidarity and understanding between officers and citizens—and it seems to be a tactic they're invested in for the long haul.
"We are spreading our efforts of supporting educational opportunities for youth, lending a hand, and building strong, positive relationships throughout our community," declared the department on its website.
So save the date: June 19th, 2024, between 4 pm and 6 pm, and meet the officers that walk your streets at Perry Harvey Sr Park, 1000 E. Harrison St, Tampa. It's more than a party—it's a piece of a larger endeavor to cultivate something we all long for: community.
