Community engagement took a lively turn in East Boston this past week as local police officers traded their patrol duties for playtime with local youth. The Boston Police Department's District A-7 joined forces with the City of Boston Parks & Recreation Department to host a Summer Field Day at East Boston Memorial Stadium, an event that underscored the lighter side of community policing.
The official BPD release reported a day filled with traditional field day festivities, including volleyball, kickball, and an appearance by the BPD Ice Cream Truck to bring cool treats to participants. The community event which served up plenty of pizza for lunch, offered a chance for camaraderie and conversation beyond the confines of the usual community policing initiatives.
A special feature of the day was a demonstration by the BPD K-9 Unit, offering an up-close look at the skills and disciplinary training of the police dogs employed to protect the city. The joyous uproar reached its peak during a water balloon battle, an activity that surely drenched any barriers between the officers and the neighborhood kids.
