FELLSMERE — It was an evening of fun and games, hot dogs and sno cones, and music and cheer. But it was also an evening where the Fellsmere community rallied together to stand united against crime.
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The Fellsmere Police Department, City of Fellsmere and hundreds of Fellsmere residents gathered at the Old Fellsmere School and Little League field Tuesday evening for the annual Law Enforcement Night Out.
Community organizations were on hand passing out materials on home and personal safety while members of the Fellsmere and Sebastian police departments, along with other agencies, mixed and mingled with the crowd.
One of the big draws for the event wasn’t the displays or demonstrations – but the opportunity to meet recently hired Police Chief Keith Touchberry.
“I wanted to meet the Chief,” said Fellsmere resident Alcelia Zeigler, who said she’s known Touchberry since his days as an officer with the Vero Beach Police Department, though it’s been years since they had last talked.
With her at the Night Out was her granddaughter, 7-year-old Shaneria. Zeigler said it was important for Shaneria to meet the police officers and understand they are here to protect her and others and to take care of the bad guys.
Shaneria said she liked meeting the officers – but her favorite part of the community event was playing in the bounce houses.
Chief Touchberry is no stranger to the Law Enforcement Night Out, having participated for several years during his tenure with the Vero Beach Police Department.
“It’s great,” he said of being a part of the event. He begged off the dunk tank citing another community meeting he had to attend later in the evening. “It’s a good thing to be seen and visible and ease into it.”
Chief Touchberry said the purpose of the Night Out event is to form partnerships with the community – with groups, schools and churches, businesses and individuals.
“We are looking forward to that partnership,” he said, addressing the crowd. “We cannot do our job without your help.”