National Night Out

This past Tuesday evening, we ventured out to the city's largest park to celebrate and partake in National Night Out.   

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.  Many neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.  

A multitude of local non-profit agencies were there to bring awareness to the community; from the police department, fire department, the Salvation Army, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement, state highway patrol, the Sheriff's Department, Safe Harbor, etc. Eric was there to represent the police department.   We were there to take in the exhibits, have some fun on the bouncers, and have a picnic.  

Right at 6:00, all of the police officers and firemen let their horns and sirens blare.  It was quite a commotion!  (Eric was in charge of one police department vehicle.)

The BIA had two of their rigs on site.  

The first motorized unit was a mobile breath alcohol testing vehicle.  We toured the inside of it.  If officers would find a person to be over the legal drinking limit, they would be literally thrown into jail in the RV and then await an officer to take them to the area's brick and mortar jail.  Connor and Ramsey were thrown into the hot seat, "awaiting bail".

The second unit that was on display was a very high-tech surveillance vehicle that would be deployed in times of a hostage situation or other high-priority tactical needs.  Note the large satellite on top.  And, the unit is all run using an iPad, to include the automatic leveling system on hydraulics.   The BIA shares this unit with other local area law enforcement agencies in times of crises.

While the festivities endured, a local band from NSU played.  They were quite entertaining!

The bikes on the stage were given away as door prizes.  Connor won a pass to rides at Storybookland!

As we wandered, the kids checked out the big air bouncers.  Ramsey LOVED just bouncing on the outside areas. 

Connor took Ramsey inside, but there were a LOT of children buzzing and bouncing around.  They didn't stay in a long time, as it got pretty wild and Connor didn't want Ramsey to get trampled.  

Then, we found Eric to have a picnic and people-watched.

There was even an evening showing of the new Paddington Bear movie.  We didn't stay for the movie this year - it was Eric's birthday, so we left to go home and have a campfire.