The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department threw a pool party Saturday to help ease tensions in a community struck with a wave of violent crime.
Officers in the northeast area command have been dealing with a recent spike in violent crime. Two people were shot and killed in June after an argument over a game of dominoes turned violent. There have also been cases of gang retaliation in the area, according to police.
Police held a pool party at the Hollywood Aquatic Center Saturday to help northeast residents feel safer. Police want to encourage the community to work with the police in their mission to fight violent crime.
"This type of interaction is good for us where everyone is having a good time and we're trying to come together as a group and face the issue in the community," said Captain James Larochelle of the Northeast Area Command.
Parents said they loved the idea and want more events like this to be held across Las Vegas.
"I want [my kids] to grow up and know there's not violence and crime all over and everywhere and if there is you don't have to be apart of that," said Denise Hall who took three of her children to the event.
Metro has handled 76 homicide cases this year. 19 of those were in the Northeast Area Command, according to Captain Larochelle.
