El Dorado Police plan ‘Night Out’ for August

EL DORADO — In 2016, the El Dorado Police Department “rocked in the park” to thank the community for its support of law enforcement officers.

This year, the police department is inviting citizens for a “night out” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 1 on the parking lot of the Murmil Heights Educational Center, 2000 Ripley.

Local law enforcement agencies across the country will be participating in the annual National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the U.S. and Canada.

The goal of the Night Out campaign, which was launched 33 years ago, is to build safer communities by encouraging neighborhood camaraderie and enhancing relationships between citizens and law enforcement officers.

The local Night Out event will be the first to be sponsored by the police department in El Dorado, said Sgt. Chris Lutman, community relations supervisor for the EPD.

“Some neighborhoods around the city have done events where they recognized National Night Out, and this will centralize it a little bit more,” he said.

The event will be free and open to the public.

Lutman said the police department is hoping to piggyback off the success of “Rockin’ in the Park: Cops for the Community,” which drew at least 300 people to Mattocks Park last August.

While not a National Night Out event, Rockin’ was held in a similar vein.

“We’re trying to build on the relationships that are already

there in the community,” Lutman said at the time.

The gathering allowed citizens to meet, greet and mingle with area law enforcement officers — the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and other agencies were invited —, and the Night Out will offer more of the same.

“Essentially, its the same thing. It’s going to be one big giant block party. The idea is to humanize the person behind the badge,” Lutman said. “We at the EPD want to show our appreciation for our

community.”

The police department is calling for community participation for Night Out activities.

“We would like to have bouncy houses, food, backpacks (school supplies), educational material, arts and crafts, music, etc.,” he said.

The police department will display its SWAT vehicles and perform demonstrations with its K-9 Unit and bomb disposal robot.

Requests have already been coming in for applications to set up booths for the event, and Lutman said there is plenty of space available for interested individuals, groups, viciv organizations, clubs, businesses and churches to offer a variety of activities.

Included on the applications is a space for applicants to describe the type of activity, service or booth they would like to bring the event.

Lutman said the description will help to better plan Night Out.

The area of Ripley and Cherokee will be closed off to traffic to allow adequate space for vendors and booths.

Anyone who has a setup that requires electricity should bring their own generators, Lutman said.

“Let’s double our turnout from last year, and come out and show your support for your officers,” Lutman said. “We’re asking any churches or organizations, like Boys and Girls Club (of El Dorado) with busses and vans to bring people over. We want to keep the community engaged.”

To request an application or for additional information, call Lutman at 870-881-4820 or send an email to clutman@ eldoradopolice.org. Also, visit the EPD’s Facebook page.

The deadline to submit applications is July 24.