The police were out in force on Saturday at the Alonzo Williams Park, but they were not responding to a 911 call.
Officers and equipment from the Apopka Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office were the main event at the Apopka Community Task Force on Violence's "Lunch and Munch" event.
The purpose of the event was to develop trusting relationships between the community and law enforcement.
From the comments made by those in attendance that goal was met.
"The Lunch and Munch is an event that was a great success. Anytime we can get law enforcement and kids together to interact in a fun and nurturing environment is wonderful," said Alice Nolan, former candidate for City Council and Task Force member. "These interactions help the children to feel comfortable with law enforcement just in case anything does happen where they will need them. Together we are a community working hand to hand to make the world beautiful."
"It was a great event," according to Apopka Mayor, Joe Kilsheimer.
Task Force Co-Chair Rod Love said this; "The dynamics of community interaction and networking was incredible, it lends hope to realizing that the citizens of the Apopka community, both City and County, can anticipate a return on their investment of regular community engagement with law enforcement and elected leadership."
"I must acknowledge the steadfast support of Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson who doesn’t mind helping set up tables, picking up trash in order to achieve the objective. It was also good to see Mayor Kilsheimer in attendance. Much thanks to Sheriff Jerry Demings and Chief McKinley for the combined details of the horse, motorcycles, crime scene and street patrol units that were on display along with service information tables by the PTA, Habitat for Humanity and Orange County Head Start, but the Apopka Police MRAP vehicle took the prize and stole the hearts of the kids and I believe the imagination of the adults."
"Everyone deserves thanks, right down to the catering company J.O.A.T. that prepare delicious food for the event, the city of Apopka employee whom gave of his time to set up the tent, the Apopka Memorial Middle School National Junior Honor Society kids and community residents that came out to see what all the commotion at Alonzo Williams park was about and realized that it wasn’t another shooting, but those men and women that come to our aid when we need them the most, law enforcement was there and showed they are human and care about the community, we need to continue to build on this and show them that we care, that we care about what happens in our community, to our family, friends, and neighbors, but equally importantly, that we care about them and that after every shift, it is important to us that they return home safely to their families as well."
Correction: An earlier version of this article failed to mention that Alice Nolan is a member of the Apopka Community Task Force on Violence.
