A Fun Night Out

Important in any community is the relationship the public shares with law enforcement agencies that keep a vigilant watch over the general public.

In a world which seems to dismiss the importance of law enforcement protecting people and their property, events like National Night Out help to bridge the gap between the public and agencies that hold power over them.

National Night Out was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The founder Matt Peskin established The National Association of Town Watch with the goal of helping community watch groups obtain the necessary information, resources and assets in order to stay informed, interested, involved and motivated in their respective communities.

Peskin saw the need for all the individual organizations to have a way to come together and to bring law enforcement and their communities together on a larger scale and came up with the National Night Out (NNO) event.

“The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and surroundings. National Night Out triumphs over a culture that isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own communities.” Texas Senator Kay Bailey Huthcison stated on the NNO website.

National Night Out was held at Bolten Park in south Rawlins. The event turnout exceeded expectations and many from the community showed up for the food and various activities the organization had available.

Bolten Park was abuzz with children playing and adults conversing. A bounce house and carnival style games where prizes could be won were available to the children. A course was set up with cones where a golf cart could be driven with “drunk goggles’’ to simulate the dangers of driving while impaired. Classic Air had a helicopter fly over and land in the park to allow the public to ask questions and get a close up view or to sit inside.

Burgers and hot dogs were served up by Rawlins’ own school resource officer Amber Yardley, and Rick and Daria Hooper handled the grilling.

After the food was served Stillhouse Blues took stage to play their unique blend of blues and funk. Music was a welcome addition to the event, which seemed to be enjoyed by all.

Rawlins Police Department Chief Mike Ward could be seen throughout the event talking to people and helping where needed. Chief Ward posed for a picture inside the mock jail cell that was set up so people could get humorous photos in “jail.”

This year the National Night Out event seemed well organized and brought the community together in a way which tightened the bond between emergency responders and the people they protect.