BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — We know the relationship between people and their police departments is tense in many communities. At times, that's the case in Brooklyn Park. So, police put up tents, people brought food and a conversation began.
"The community is the police and the police is the community. We are not different," said Ambrose R. Russell, with The Inner Hero, an organization which works to increase community relations with local officials.
The main message on the corner of Brookdale Drive and Yates Avenue was one of unity.
"People are being more united, people are being more integrated, people are being, I would say, friendly," said Russell.
But there's always room for a stronger relationship.
So, at the event, people were asked to write down questions for the fire and police departments. Those questions were read aloud and answered.
People talked about their concerns, and also, why they like living in Brooklyn Park.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Craig Enevoldsen answered questions, and urged people to bring their friends to the event to ask him questions.
He said the relationship with the community has gotten better, but can be even better. He plans to hold more of these events.
"With the world of social media and some other things, sometimes we're not able to talk or explain what may have happened. That narrative just gets filled in and people have made up their mind. We hope that through events like this they'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say 'I know Brooklyn Park police,' he said.
"We want to be able to move forward and see what else we can do to improve our communities and so this is a good start," said Bre Butler.
Crime overall, has gone down in Brooklyn Park steadily in the last years.
Numbers on city's website show 7,000 incidents in 2014. Chief Enevoldsen says last year there were 6,500 incidents.