The Ohio University Police Department’s goal Tuesday night was to serve and protect — and then serve again. Serve food, that is.
OUPD officers, as part of the Joint Police Advisory Council’s first community cookout, served burgers, hot dogs and chicken, along with other foods, on Park Place just outside of Baker University Center. The event, at which authorities closed the street, was also catered by Kiser’s Barbeque.
Both police chiefs — Athens’ Tom Pyle and OU’s Andrew Powers — made an appearance.
OU students, staff and police officers gathered to enjoy a fun night filled with ice cream, pork sandwiches and music.
The event was meant to underscore law enforcement’s commitment to building a strong relationship between police and civilians.
“This is really about having an informal opportunity for our community and our officers to get together and chat and to get to know each other as people and not just as us and them,” Powers said.
Some other familiar faces in the crowd were Mayor Paul Wiehl, OU President Roderick McDavis and Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones.
“We want to reach out to the community to make sure they know that everyone has a voice with us and that we are fostering amicable relationships,” Pyle said.
Another key factor that influenced the decision of the police to host this cookout was the civil unrest seen in Ferguson, Missouri between the law enforcement and the citizens of the small town, officials said.
“Our goal is to improve our community outreach programs and to create an environment that would prevent an event like the one in Ferguson, one where there is an open dialogue,” Pyle said.
Overall the first annual cookout witnessed a great turnout and even better interactions between Athens residents, officials said.
Wiehl said he hopes the cookout is an annual event.
“It is for the good of the city and for the good of everybody, and who knows, maybe we will make this a yearly event,” he said. “It’s a great turnout and a great mix, and I see people going around talking to the officers and petting the horses.”
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