BVPD hosting annual Night Out on Aug. 2

The event is at the Kingsdale Pavilion.

BELLA VISTA — The National Night Out, hosted by the Bella Vista Police Department, will be held at the Kingsdale Pavilion from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The annual National Night Out is particularly important this year, Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer said. While Bella Vista remains calm, in many other communities relations are strained between the police and some residents. An event that lets officers meet and mingle with the community helps those strained relationships.

Lately, in Bella Vista, the community has been busy showing their support with homemade treats, Farmer said, and his department is grateful. The family-friendly event is one way the department will show its gratitude, he said.

The national event, in its sixth year in Bella Vista, is part of a larger initiative to familiarize community members with law enforcement officers and programs in their area and help build partnerships between police and the public they serve and protect.

New this year — bring your bikes and helmets from home: GPP Cycling will host a bike rodeo! Pro bike mechanics will be available for bike safety checks and helmet fits for kids and adults. There will be a fun obstacle course and some cool giveaways.

Hang out and enjoy free food, music, a drunk-driving simulator, children’s fingerprinting, an interesting evidence table and more. Kids will also have the opportunity to explore a police car — lights, sirens and all — and the Animal Control truck. Organizers also plan to hold a donut-eating contest for kids and adults.

“It’s a really good time for families, particularly for the kids,” Farmer said.

For more information, call the Police Department at 479-855-3771.