Northwest Arkansas police departments will use Night Out events to encourage camaraderie between law enforcement, other service professionals and the community.
Several cities will host events as a part of the National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships to make neighborhoods safer places to live, according to its website.
Sheriff Office Activities
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have a Police Night Out event planned, but has participated with police dog demonstrations at the Springdale Night Out in the past.
“Police Night Out is great as far as interactions with law enforcement and letting people see that these are good guys, normal people just like they are,” said Kelly Cantrell, public information officer for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s a chance to interact with them in a positive way, in a more comfortable environment.”
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has unofficial plans for a similar event in September or October, and will participate at the Benton County Fair.
“Community engagement is so, so important, especially right now with all of the hate crimes that have been going on that have targeted law enforcement,” said Keisha Guyll, public information officer for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s a chance for the community to come to our house, the Sheriff’s Office, have a tour, enjoy kids’ activities and engage with us.”
Source: Staff report
Violence by and against police is in the national spotlight with recent shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge that left eight officers dead and the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Minnesota. Those events make this year's Night Out a particularly good time to combat poor perceptions and show the true character of policemen, Night Out organizers say.
"In light of what our country as a whole is experiencing, the things that have happened and policemen who have been under attack and painted in a negative light, it gives families opportunities to see that these are real guys, good guys who are there for them, to serve them," said Bob Arthur, president of Springdale Rotary Club, which will handle food services in tandem with Springdale Kiwanis at the Springdale Night Out.
Between 1,500 to 2,000 people are expected at the Aug. 12 event at Luther George Park where guests will eat free food, play games and watch an outdoor movie.
"We're there to serve the policemen so they can interact with families who are going to be there," Arthur said. "I think that's great that they'll be able to interact with the community."
The first of the local events is a two-day celebration in Siloam Springs, with a kickoff party Monday at Twin Springs Park downtown and multiple community block parties Tuesday.
"We want people to continue to get to know our police force, the people who protect our residences here," said Holland Hayden, communications manager for the city. "They are a part of the community. They live here. Their kids go to school here. They shop here and worship here."
Visitors and policemen will have the chance to connect during the kickoff party while enjoying free food, music by a DJ and giveaways. Tuesday's block parties will take place at six locations. Siloam Springs Police will take turns visiting each one.
Night Out "reaffirms that we're one community and have interest in taking care of each other," said Jim Wilmeth, Siloam Springs police chief. "There are criminals in every community, but there's also good, hardworking people. Together that's how we fight crime, working as a group. Night Out is a way of making it possible to work together."
Bella Vista Night Out will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Kingsdale Pavilion. A bike rodeo, drunken driving simulator, obstacle course, fingerprinting for children and a doughnut-eating contest will provide a mix of fun and education, said Ken Farmer, Bella Vista police chief.
"For us, the most important thing is making a connection with people in our community," Farmer said. "We find that if we interact with people in a friendly, nonstressful situation, get acquainted with them and them with us, that helps us do our job. It helps them be more comfortable around the police when we have to deal with them in a less pleasant circumstance."
Fayetteville Police Night Out will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bryce Davis Park, with free food and games.
Rogers Police Night Out is also on Tuesday -- from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center for Nonprofits. Visitors will receive free concessions and have a chance to get to know policemen.
"Really it's just a chance for the community to meet and talk with us," said Keith Foster, public information officer for the Rogers Police Department. To see that "we're not some stand-offish people, we want to meet people and their kids."
Children can play on bounce houses and interact with police and fire equipment through Touch-a-Truck, where they can crawl through ambulances, ladder trucks, a command center van, visitor transport truck, golf carts and four wheelers.
The event helps restore the sense of humanity for policemen and firefighters, Foster said.
"The most important thing is to get to know who we are," he said. "If all you know about law enforcement is what you see on TV, you don't know anything about us. We're humans, and we have kids like everyone else."
The Bentonville Police Department doesn't have a Night Out planned, but hosted a similar event at the Bentonville Recreation Center on May 21 in celebration of the department's 100-year anniversary.
"We wanted to do something to give back that constitutes engagement with the community and being available," said Gene Page, a Bentonville police officer. "It slowed things down to where people could meet with us and talk with us."
NW News on 07/30/2016