‘Night Out’ event set for Veterans’ Park

Painesville Police Department will host an event that aims to bring the department and community together.

Painesville’s Veterans’ Park will host a “night out” with the Painesville Police Department, Aug. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The National Night Out event is free to the public and intended to bolster relations between local law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect.

“National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and the community together,” Police Chief Dan Waterman said.

Officers from various departments will be on hand for meet-and-greets, but the event also employs a festival atmosphere to underscore the lighthearted tone it seeks to foster. This is done through its all-ages approach which treats children to prizes and games while further establishing bonds between them and police officers at an influential age in their young development.

Among the youth attractions are animal presentations courtesy of Lake Metroparks, a photo booth, face painting, “cop-sicles,” a “police car showdown,” and more.

Formed as an outgrowth of the National Association of Town Watch, the first National Night Out occurred in 1984 across 23 states through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation, according to organization information.

Fast forward to 2019. National Night Out is now conducted annually by 136 municipalities across Ohio on the first Tuesday in August. If sheer volume is any indication, the event has proven a success in Painesville.

“Last year’s event was attended by over 800 people, rivaling many of our biggest annual events,” Waterman said.

Officers from multiple departments will be interacting with the community on hand in an effort to lower potential barriers or tensions and to develop better communication. Waterman has plans to make this year’s version “even bigger” and mentioned toy giveaways, bike and other prizes and raffle giveaways.

“The end goal of National Night Out for us is always showing this community that we care about them, and most importantly that they are our partner in solving crime, as well as other social problems,” Waterman said.