The Fort Pierce Police Department hosted its eighth annual Unity in Our Community event, providing a space for residents and officers to connect and strengthen trust as the city adjusts to new leadership.

Building Relationships

The event featured food, face painting, and activities for children, while adults had access to health screenings provided by local service organizations. Organizers said the goal was to create a positive environment for community members and law enforcement to come together.

Mary Sirmons, a long-time resident of Fort Pierce, attended the event and expressed her enthusiasm for community-building initiatives. She emphasized the importance of adults participating in such events to foster stronger relationships between the community and law enforcement.

A New Era for Fort Pierce

This year’s event also marked a period of transition for Fort Pierce, which recently welcomed a new police chief, David Smith. Chief Smith stated that the event was designed to help residents and officers build relationships and foster trust.

Chief Smith acknowledged that public safety remains a top concern, with officers investigating several homicides this year. He emphasized that the vast majority of residents are law-abiding citizens who want to feel safe in their community, and that a small percentage of individuals are responsible for causing issues.

To address these challenges, Chief Smith said he is holding town halls, using social media, and encouraging residents to report issues anonymously if they feel unsafe. He stressed the importance of community involvement in maintaining public safety.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.