Bay Pines VA’s Police Service Participates in National Night Out
On Oct. 4, officers from Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Police Service participated in the 2022 National Night Out which took place at the England Brothers Park in Pinellas County.
National Night Out is celebrated throughout the country and was created to help first responders foster solid relationships with the communities they serve.
After a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, the Pinellas Park Police Department hosted the event and everyone was invited to partake in the family-friendly gathering.
“We’ve been organizing this event for about 12 years now,” said Cpl. James Gatti, Crime Prevention and Community Policing Unit, Pinellas Park Police Department. “One of the reasons I invited the VA is because in law enforcement, there are times we encounter former Veterans, and we don’t know that we have the VA as a resource to provide the Veterans with the assistance they need.”
During the event, there was live music, a bounce house, free food and drinks, and raffles.
In addition to Bay Pines VA’s Police Service, the following law enforcement agencies also participated in the event: the St. Petersburg Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Kenneth City Police Department; and the Treasure Island Police Department.
“It’s always important for the police to bridge that gap with the community because we’re public servants,” said Capt. Daniel Hernandez, Patrol Division Lead, Bay Pines VA’s Police Service. “When members of our communities see that there are good, dedicated police officers who serve them it strengthens our relationship. I think this was a great community outreach opportunity for us because the Veteran community is growing and when we expose other agencies to our mission, it strengthens our ability to serve our Veterans.”