Block party brings Columbus Police Department and Linden residents together

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Police Department held its first community block party of the summer in Linden on Thursday afternoon.

Residents had the opportunity to interact with law enforcement in a fun, family-friendly environment.

“These events build relationships, and lives depend on relationships,” said Assistant Chief of Police Greg Bodker. “This gives us the opportunity to build those relationships. It also gives the community and its officials an opportunity.”

People got a chance to interact with law enforcement and learn about their jobs and their personal favorite: dipping cops in dunk tanks.

“What’s happening today is not a one-time thing. What people don’t understand is that the same police officers are here every day,” said Linden resident DC. The way I speak now, this is the way they speak to all their children. They know most of all the kids here because they go out and talk to them. They know some of their parents. ”

Bodker said building relationships begins with trust.

“Trust is everything. In the community, legitimacy is everything,” Bodker said. “We often ask our communities for help, but community safety is not just the responsibility of the police. It is the responsibility of the community as a whole.”

We have three more Block Parties, including next Thursday. Columbus Police have posted the information on their Facebook page.