By Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 was packed with police officers, judges, politicians, business persons and friends of police Wednesday for the organization’s bimonthly lunch. FOP chefs prepared fried fish for more than 150 people who came out to network and enjoy the company.
“We always have a good turnout,” said Chief David Stevens, who first started the luncheons when he was president of the FOP.
Council members and Council candidates mingled with business and community leaders of Jacksonville over sweet tea and hush puppies.
It would easy to assume that a little business is also being conducted, but that’s not true.
“It gives law enforcement officers, judges and politicians an opportunity for networking,” said Council member Glorious Johnson. “We’re just having fun, laughing — staying away from politics. We’re not talking about bills or proposals.”
Johnson said she mingles with friends in different political arenas while catching up with childhood friends she hasn’t seen in a while at the FOP lunches.
“It’s an opportunity to just have fun,” she said.
Lodge 5-30 represents more than 2,600 active and retired law enforcement officers and is the 7th largest lodge in the country. In addition to negotiating wages, benefits and terms and conditions of employment, the FOP guards the health, welfare and safety of its members through its program services.