JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
A spring tradition kicked off Monday night at Highland Village, bringing together crime fighting efforts and the finest foods in the metro.
Thousands filled the outdoor shopping area for the 15th Annual Take a Tasty Bite Out of Crime.
They came out to say thank you to local law enforcement while eating and mingling and raising money.
Metro One's landing kicked off this year's fundraiser.
One day after burying her husband, Pearl Investigator Mike Walter, Jeanne Walter stood with his parents during a memorial service at the start of the event.
Fifty restaurants and beverage vendors were set up throughout Highland Village giving away samples of their specialties.
Tasty Bite raises money to assist 12 different law enforcement agencies in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.
Seventy-five percent of the proceeds go to those departments.
Twenty-five percent helps keep Metro One in the air.
"After the tragic loss last week of Officer Walter, our hearts are all heavy right now, but Metro One's primary mission is officer safety. That's what we're there for is to support the patrol officers on the ground and help them to be safer doing their jobs," said Metro One program manager Andy Robinson.
Live music entertained the crowds from 7-10 p.m.
Nearly $100,000.00 has been raised for law enforcement since Take a Tasty Bite Out of Crime began.
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