VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – For the last 45 years, 77-year-old Commander Francis “Mac” McBride walked the streets of downtown DeLand.
He was considered the force behind community policing and initiated a program decades ago called, “Night Eyes” when he worked the night shift.“When I found a door unlocked, I’d leave a card in the door saying I was by and that took off with the merchants.
They loved it!” McBride said.He eventually traded nights for days to protect and serve and never wanted to leave his beat. Instead, he worked hard to create relationships with the merchants and was the liaison between the business owners and the police department.“You grow attached to them working so many years.