The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office in Shreveport, Louisiana, hosted its annual ‘Stars, Stripes & Safety’ community event on Wednesday evening to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The free event brought together residents, sheriff’s deputies, and Shreveport firefighters for an evening of music, family-friendly games, patriotic activities, and a community barbecue.

Community Comes Together

Organizers designed the event to promote summer safety in a fun, family-friendly environment. ‘It’s a family-oriented event. We have games, we have food, a little music, and we’re here just to enjoy the celebration together as one community,’ said Caddo Parish sheriff’s Sgt. Felisa Leary. Attendees stood for the playing of the national anthem before the festivities began.

For many families, the event provided an opportunity to interact with local first responders in a relaxed setting. ‘You’ve got the sheriff, the police, and the fire. And you feel safe about your child moving around,’ attendee Lucinda Thornton said. The ‘Stars, Stripes & Safety’ event is one of several community celebrations taking place across the region ahead of Independence Day.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.