Many of Tampa's first responders have been working around the clock patrolling the Seminole Heights neighborhood. With a killer still out there, residents decided to host a an appreciation dinner Monday to show their support.
- Neighbors started planning dinner last week
- Dinner paid for with donations from residents
- Tampa Police clocked 238 overtime hours last pay period
Neighbors started planning the dinner late last week and say the details came together quickly. It was paid for by private donations from residents, many of whom also donated their time to cook and serve the meal at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church.
As the reward pot is growing, now at $110,000, tensions are rising too.
RELATED STORY: Reward rises to $110,000 for information in Seminole Heights murders
"It's so strange, you walk out the front door and see people walking by with bullet proof vests on and there's a police car driving by every 30 seconds," explained resident Patrick Guyer.
While the Tampa Police Department is getting a hand from surrounding law enforcement agencies, the department clocked 238 overtime hours last pay period.
"They're working some very long hours. It's been a rough go of this," said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. "You're looking at four victims and a neighborhood and a police department that right now is struggling to find something good, and something to be thankful about on the week of Thanksgiving."
But at Monday night's dinner it was clear to law enforcement that their community has their backs.