FELLSMERE — The kids lined up a dozen deep, waiting their turn to toss a ball and hit the target, making a Fellsmere Police Officer go splash in the dunk tank during the city’s Night Out Against Crime Tuesday evening.
“It’s good to have the community come out and meet the officers,” said Fellsmere Police Chief Scott Melanson while watching Officer Jose Rendon squirm on the board as a kid lined up his shot.
This was the third time Fellsmere has held its own Night Out event, having spent about 13 years prior participating in other cities’ events.
Chief Melanson used the event as an opportunity to public applaud his department’s officers and volunteers for their work keeping the city safe.
“We thought this would be a perfect night” to recognize them, Chief Melanson said, addressing the crowd of a couple hundred residents.
The police chief turned the microphone over to Fellsmere resident Dewey Root, who thanked Officers Scott Newsom and Thomas Quinn for their quick assistance. Root told the audience that on two separate occasions, the officers responded to his call for help at his home in a matter of two minutes.
“That’s amazing,” he said.
Chief Melanson recognized the department’s first ever Volunteer of the Year – Officer Dallas Dupont – who has logged more than 450 unpaid hours with the Fellsmere Police Department.
A graduate of the police academy, Officer Dupont has worked two Frog Leg Festivals and a Fellsmere Day – providing relief for his fellow paid officers.
“We appreciate having him around,” Chief Melanson said, adding that he hopes to bring the volunteer on permanently.
The Exchange Club of Fellsmere, represented by member Joel Tyson, Warren Dill, Susan Adams and Isabel Marron, presented a plaque to Officer Jeffrey Gibbs – who was named Officer of the Year.
“It was not an easy decision,” Chief Melanson said of the discussion that took place with the Exchange Club and Police Department. “We kept coming back o the same individual.”
The chief said no other works harder or is more dedicated to serving the community than Officer Gibbs.
Chief Melanson gave one more recognition to a resident who wished to remain anonymous. The chief explained the woman who was receiving the recognition had helped foil a burglary of her neighbor’s home – simply because she paid attention and called for help.
Chief Melanson explained the burglars were part of a coordinated group that broke into teams – two teams keeping watch and another to break into homes and steal items.
“For all their planning, there was one thing they didn’t plan on,” Chief Melanson said – a vigilant citizen.
Because of the resident, authorities were able to nab two of the burglars and recover most of what had been taken.
“This is the type of person you want living in your neighborhood,” Chief Melanson said.
The chief said Night Out Against Crime is meant to serve as a way for the public to interact with law enforcement in a positive, non-enforcement way, in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Bounce houses, a water slide and obstacle course helped bring the crowd to the park outside the Old Fellsmere School, while booths set up with safety information served to inform children and parents alike.
“We came last year and had a lot of fun,” said Fellsmere resident Scott Sergel, who brought his wife, Adrina, and their son, Scottie, 9.
Sergel said they would be taking home safety-themed coloring books and a bicycle helmet.
The highlight of the evening for Scottie was the dunk tank, though.
“I knocked him in the water with my hand,” Scottie said of the officer. He added that it was more fun to hit the target with his hand than throw the ball.
Bear Scout Kaden Funnell, 8, attended Fellsmere’s Night Out Against Crime with his den, using the event as an opportunity to learn about law enforcement.
“We’re going to learn and then have fun,” Kaden’s mom, Michelle, said.