GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids Police Department hosted an open house Thursday as part of its ongoing effort to improve relations with the community.
The event was held at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary on Grandville Avenue SW.
"We've heard that there's some fear of the police, so we really wanted to hit the Grandville corridor as our first neighborhood to really break down those barriers," GRPD Sgt. Cathy Williams said.
At the free event, community members petted horses from the Mounted Unit, ate hot dogs from Jonny B'z and sang using the karaoke machine installed in a police cruiser.
The goal of the event was for community members and officers to get to know each other in a casual setting.