'Community engagement at its best': Law enforcement hosts community barbeque at Center Street Park

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee park that was the scene of heartbreak last month became a place of healing Wednesday, June 17.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Milwaukee police and Cops for Kids hosted a community barbeque at Center Street Park.

It's the same park where a man was shot and killed during his son's birthday party last month.

Organizers say the goal was to bring families back together, especially kids, and help them see police as safe and approachable.

"It's a way for us to engage with the community. It's community engagement at its best," said Brian Barkow with the MCSO. "It's a way to engage with young people to let them know that whether it's a deputy sheriff or some other law enforcement officer that we're just a person in a uniform, that we're approachable and it's a way for us to make that connection." 

Wednesday's event was a free even and open to anyone who wanted to attend.