HPD hosts second ‘Popsicles in the Park’ event

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg police continued their “Popsicles in the Park” event Thursday afternoon.

The event happened at Osceola McCarty Park in Hattiesburg.

Children came out and enjoyed some fun and games with the officers, such as football, volleyball and cornhole.

Of course, they also got to beat the heat with refreshing popsicles.

“It gives me an opportunity to let them know… we’re not just law enforcement,” said Capt. Allen Murray, HPD Community Relations & Crime Prevention. “We do enforce laws, and, of course, do apprehend criminals, but we provide services, take preventative measures and change behaviors.”

“These youth … (and) community members get to come out here to see us as people, see us as members of their community, providing the service and put faces with the name and just (be) connected on a positive note.”

Murray says he is sure Popsicles in the Park could become a staple in the police department.

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