SARASOTA, Fla. — A unique and interactive program is bringing Sarasota police officers closer to the community one painting at a time.
It's part of a series of community-building events that are held at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in Newtown. The program is in partnership with the City of Sarasota Parks and Recreations Department.
Organizers said it's not only aimed to keep folks safe but to foster conversation and long-term relationships.
"I grew up under the understanding that they are not your friends but these police officers are human just like we are. It's nice to know the person underneath the badge, underneath the vest and things like that," said Chayanne Garcia of Sarasota.
With a few dabs of paint and several swooshing of a brush some Sarasota neighbors spent some time creating art and getting to know several police officers from the Community Relations Unit of the Sarasota Police Department.
The "Painting with Police" program has returned for the fall season after a successful inaugural season in the spring.
It's aimed at creating positive interaction with police officers beyond the headlines by getting them comfortable enough with men and women of the badge.
"Ever since 2020, all the police officers and everything that they've been through and things like that. There's police officers that are just worried about going to work because of something that happened in a whole other state, a whole other city. But people are still treating them badly because of what another human being did over there in a different area," Garcia said. "Just being a police officer every day lives on the line whether you know it or not."
Participants for the first event of the fall included a stay-at-home mom and child, members of some local organizations, and seniors in need of company and activity.
"I feel like Picasso right now, so yeah this is personal feeling," said one participant.
After conversations about artistic flare, the participants, police officers and organizers said they're already seeing the impact of such interactions in the community.
"This is a different speed than some things a lot of our officers might be doing like playing basketball with kids or something like that. It's slower pace it more conversations driven, and any relationship building is truly the goal here," said Cynthia McLaughlin, Spokesperson for Sarasota Police Department.
"The officers, even though they're still in uniform, they are people, they are not just out here just wanting to arrest, they want to be able to bridge that gap and have conversation with the community in a fun safe space," said Charisse Lovett, City of Sarasota Parks and Recreations Department.
"There are situations where certain ones don't do their job, but as far as I'm concerned since I've been here, all these people are good people and I am sitting over there with Mr. Stevens and he's my homie right now and we might go get a couple of workouts in together," Garcia said. "It's good to have a sense of community with those that you know take care of us, especially in neighborhood is like the ones that we reside where there is a bad stigma between police officers and the average citizens."
During the summer other similar partnerships targeting the youth helped police recover several stolen handguns.
The officers are hoping conversations and connections fostered here can lead to safer streets.
"This is I think an attribute of dedication because we're not just responding to calls, we are dedicated to outreach and building this relationship so you're not seeing us on your worst day. You're seeing us on most days, whether it is at school picking up students and welcoming them either as they head home for the day or as they start their school day," McLaughlin said.
"The stronger community we have the more relationship relationship relationships. We have the better safer environments that we have," Garcia added.
Painting With Police will be held every month till the end of the year at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
The program is open to team-building activity for organizations, businesses, individuals, friend groups and school groups that want to participate. Supplies will be provided by sessions cost $10 per person to cover supplies. To reserve a spot, call 941-263-6732.