In an unlikely twist to the midsummer calendar, the Boston Police Department (BPD) has brought a dose of festive cheer to the city's seniors this July, as officers from District E-5 descended upon the St. John Chrysostom Parish senior community to host a "Christmas in July" event.
The celebration was marked with the traditional trappings of holiday observance, despite the swelter of summer, officers and community elders exchanged gifts, enjoyed each other's company and partook in games of BINGO, which, it turns out, has a charm that transcends the seasons. According to a recent release by the BPD, "Our officers from District E-5 in West Roxbury were happy to be with the seniors as they exchanged gifts, socialized, and played some BINGO…which is always a hit!"
More than just merrymaking, the unusual holiday gathering aimed to strengthen the ties between Boston's law enforcement and its senior residents, providing an avenue for understanding and fostering a sense of security within the community. The festivities concluded with shared conversations over slices of "beautifully decorated cake," a sweet end to an evening that served to remind those present of the year's goodwill, irrespective of the actual date on the calendar.
The BPD's initiative echoes a department-wide commitment to community engagements, reinforcing that the job of law enforcement is not solely to safeguard the public but also to bond with them, to know the faces behind the statistics in all their diversity and complexity from our collective triumphs to the isolating challenges that can, too often, befall our elderly neighbors. "It is important for our officers to know our community members of all ages and to hear first hand what they need to be and feel safe!" the BPD officers shared in the spirit of the event.
