Several police departments in Benton and Washington counties plan community events next week as part of a national campaign to build trust, police said.
"Anytime police and residents come together, it's a good thing," said Kenneth Farmer, Bella Vista police chief.
National Night Out
• Bella Vista — 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Kingsdale Pavilion
• Rogers — 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Center for Nonprofits, 1200 W. Walnut St.
• Siloam Springs — 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, Family Aquatic Center, 1800 Mount Olive Road; 5:30-8 p.m., Wednesday, individual block parties citywide
• Springdale — 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, Murphy Park, 501 S. Pleasant St.
Source: Staff report
National Night Out is an annual campaign to promote camaraderie between police and residents and allow neighbors to get to know each other, according to the group's website. The project was created by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit, crime-prevention organization.
National Night Out started 32 years ago and has grown dramatically, Matt Peskin, national project coordinator, said Friday. This year, about 38 million people nationwide plan to participate in night out events, according to the group's website.
In Northwest Arkansas, Springdale expects to have at least 1,000 participants. Bella Vista is planning for 325. Both police departments plan for a bigger turnout than last year.
Police departments in Centerton, Rogers and Siloam Springs are also planning events, according to news releases. Most events are scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Siloam Springs, however, plans events Monday and Wednesday. The events will be the city's first time to participate in the campaign.
Police Chief Jim Wilmeth wanted the city to take part because he wants to build a better relationship between community members and the people keeping them safe, Holland Hayden, city communications manager, said Friday.
Siloam Springs plans to have bounce houses, free cookies, booths set up for child identification kits and giveaways Monday, according to a news release. On Wednesday, the city plans to close sections of streets for block parties.
Residents can sign up via the city website, according to the release. No individual event permits are required to have a block party during the city's National Night Out event.
Registered parties will be able to use city barricades to close off sections of streets, the release said. Police officers plan to stop by with prizes.
Springdale events Tuesday include a car seat clinic, Kid ID Cards, sport games, fire trucks, free hot dogs, a police dog demonstration and an outdoor movie, said Lt. Scott Lewis, spokesman. The library will have a kids crafts table, the animal shelter will show dogs that need adopted, the youth center will be open and the aquatics center will allow free swimming, he said.
"Basically, it's the police department's opportunity to have a free, fun, giving-back, building-relationships event," Lewis said.
Rogers police and fire departments plan to include touch-a-truck and bounce houses for children, according to a news release.
Bella Vista police plan to have free food, a DJ, a doughnut eating contest, a police car for children to touch and more, Farmer said.
"It's kind of a drop-in fun evening," Farmer said.
Northwest Arkansas cities join about 16,000 communities nationwide that plan to participate, Peskin said. Every year that number grows, he said.
More people decide to participate on their own, Peskin said. Neighbors spontaneously hold block parties or meet-and-greet gatherings, he said. The events help turn back the clock to the 1950s, when people knew their neighbors, Peskin said.
The campaign builds trust and communication and increases safety, police said. Neighbors are more likely to look out for each other if they know one another, Peskin said. Residents who meet police are also more likely to call police, Farmer said.
"Our goal is to build relationships and build trust," Lewis said.
NW News on 08/03/2015