Members of 20 neighborhood groups marched in the “Unity in the Community Day” parade in Elmont on Saturday.

Project HYPE Director Ray Ramos says the day is about bringing the community together.

“No political ties, no religious ties, just fellowship and networking about what…encompasses Elmont,” Ramos says.

The parade ended at Dutch Broadway Park where residents had a chance to interact with county officials and police in a relaxed atmosphere.

The goal was to build a stronger relationship and trust with all people of the community. Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says it’s important that residents see that officers interact with them, so they aren’t seen as “the bad guys.”

“We’re the good guys, we’re here to help you,” Ryder says. “We have to build those walls of trust that we can all sit on top of.”

Other unity events are set for Freeport, Hempstead and Roosevelt.