St. Joseph emergency services to host National Night Out
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph emergency services will host National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Civic Center Park.
The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and gives the opportunity for the community to meet the men and women who serve the community and learn about public safety.
The St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, Andrew County Sheriff's Office, Missouri Western State University Police Department, Buchanan County EMS and the St. Joseph Fire Department will be in attendance.
Sgt. James Edwards said the event will allow community to speak to the police on a personal level.
"This gives everyone an opportunity to kind of intermingle together and speak with police officers," he said. "Maybe learn about the job, but also build that comradery and that bond between the community and the police."
The event will feature a bounce house, free food, live music and an opportunity to watch St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster take a seat in the dunk tank.
SJPD will showcase drones, SWAT robots, rams, ballistic shields and the Special Repsonse Team's armored vehicle.
This event will help the officers build and strengthen trust with the community.
"Building trust with the community help officers do their job more effectively because there's not a big disconnect," he said. "Whenever you build trust, you build the comradery and the personal relationships with people that you serve it makes it a lot easier."
Edwards said that event helped foster some relationships and bonds.
"Whenever I encounter some people on the street, oh hey your that guy with the motorcycle from National Night Out. Even with the kids, the kids have approach me up at North Shoppes while I'm out on patrol, and I'll stop up there oh I sat your motorcycle during national night out, you remember that. I'm like yeah I sure do," he said.
Local teen band The Arsonists will perform from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 7 to 8 p.m.
Attendees will be offered free hot dogs, chips and drinks, courtesy of Target, and will be available throughout the event. Walmart will provide frozen treats.
