In an effort to help Old Saybrook residents get to know the police officers behind the uniforms, the Old Saybrook Police Department (OSPD) is inviting residents to join officers for a barbeque.

The department held its first picnic and barbeque on July 22. According to OSPD Chief Michael Spera the department is interested in hosting several picnic events to familiarize residents with the police outside of an official setting. Dates for the other cookouts will depend on the weather, and have not been set yet.

“It’s more of a look at the calendar and see what weekend looks good kind of thing,” Spera said.

Spera said to check social media for updates on dates for the upcoming events.

The first picnic featured hotdogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and vegetables as well as soft drinks. For entertainment, attendees had the opportunity to mingle with the officers in attendance and check out a vintage OSPD car as well as a new OSPD car with the gear that officers carry. The department’s K-9, Skye was also on hand.

Spera said that the next cookout will be aimed at the community at large while the final one will be aimed at the youth in town and the department will partner with Parks and Recreation. The July 22 event was geared toward the business community in town.

“We had a really good turnout. We had the crowd turn over at least two or three times,” Spera said after the first event.

Spera said there are several reasons to holding the events.

“First, I think it’s important to try and get people to see us besides the badge,” Spera said, noting he has long been a proponent of activities that get the community to know the officers on the force.

A second benefit for the event Spera said, is it provides the attendees a chance to socialize in a laid-back session.

“It’s been kind of neat to watch the businesses network. We had everything from mom-and-pop shops to big business come in,” Spera said.

The event also offers a chance for the community to show appreciation to the department said Linda Grossman, an attendee at the July 22 event and executive manager of Grossman Chevrolet/Nissan in Old Saybrook.

“I think we’ve got a lot of support over the years from the department, and I think doing this is a great community event,” said Grossman.

Spera said the picnics are not the only piece of community outreach the department has done this summer.

“We also have a bicycle patrol now that people may see up and down Main Street. They’ve been out this summer, and the community has responded well,” said Spera.

The patrol not only is meant to provide public safety, but is meant to make officers more approachable.

“We’re always looking to do initiatives like that that are community minded,” said Spera.