RESIDENTS, POLICE COME TOGETHER

National Night Out, a week after a rain-out, connects law enforcement to some residents

Law enforcement and civilians across Lake County joined together on Tuesday night to celebrate National Night Out, following a rain-out the week before.

The goal of the national event is focused on connecting local law enforcement with the public, to generate positive relationships and allow all participants to enjoy a night out together.

While it was cloudy, rain ended by the evening of Aug. 13 in Lake County, allowing communities to hold their rescheduled National Night Out activities.

In Willoughby, residents were invited to join local officers at the Euclid Avenue pool for free admission, games, raffle prizes, a bounce house and more. Community Involvement Officer Bruce Fedor organized the city’s event.

“It’s just like a family group get-together to celebrate our great community,” Fedor said.

A bicycle, backpacks, school supplies and a helmet were provided by Target and were to be raffled off. Visitors could enter the raffle by donating a canned good, which will eventually be handed over to a local shelter.

Around the pool, there were bubbles and a bounce house for kids, cornhole, Popsicles and some doughnuts. The event

was attended by the Panthers AllStar Cheerleading (who offered suckers and giveaways), as well as the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.

The Painesville Police Department also held its own event at the city’s square on Tuesday evening.

Officer Taya Workum, the main organizer of the Painesville National Night Out, mentioned that the city’s event includes multiple area agencies.

“It’s pretty collaborative with the sheriff’s office,” Workum added. “It’s more of a countywide (event).”

Painesville’s event was scheduled to feature a police car competition between nine to 10 agencies, as well as a shooting competition between officers and members of the Young Guns 4-H club.

The National Night Out was also expected to have giveaways and about 20 raffle prizes. It has been taking place for about six years.

“We brought this back when I came on board in 2013,” Workum said.

Painesville and Willoughby had rescheduled their National Night Out events after storms on Aug. 6. Eastlake has rescheduled its event for Aug. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Jakse Park.

TYLER RIGG — THE NEWS-HERALD Patrolman Bruce Fedor (throwing) and members of the Panthers AllStar Cheerleading participate in a cornhole game as members of the Willoughby Law Enforcement Exploring Post look on.

TYLER RIGG — THE NEWS-HERALD This bicycle, along with the items on the table, were raffle prizes provided by Target at Willoughby’s National Night Out on Aug. 13.