Peachtree – Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, state agents, public safety and veterans organizations stepped away from their everyday jobs to have fun with the citizens they serve on Aug. 6.
National Night Out is an annual law enforcement event that provides a opportunity for the public to get to know the people behind the uniforms who serve and protect. This was the first local event.
Those who came out were treated to a variety of demonstrations that were both fun and informative. No one went hungry, as jail administrator Monty Ward was manning the hot-dog grill.
A dunk tank and bounce house were keeping kids entertained, while adults checked out all the cool equipment on site at Tri-County Community College, where the event was hosted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
The location was chosen in order to provide a central meeting area and for ease of travel, enabling multiple departments an opportunity to participate in the event.
Sheriff Dustin Smith, Murphy Police Chief Tim Lominac and Andrews Police Chief Caleb Stiles all drew a crowd of folks who wanted to see them dropped into the dunk tank.
“It’s just part of the fun. That’s the thing that builds those relationships with the community,” Smith said. “They want to see their law enforcement officers and first responders as humans, so it’s an opportunity for us.”
Attendees were able to watch an underwater drone demonstration in a drop tank filled with water. The underwater drone – called The Dipper is a Domestic Preparedness Region – can be shared by multiple agencies in the region.
The drone is equipped with sonar, a camera, lights and claws for picking up items. It’s also capable of bringing a body up to the surface of the water.
Graham County Emergency Services Director Brian Stevens and Emergency Management Division Chief Sam Davis demonstrated the underwater drone, which had some folks watching in amazement of its overall capabilities.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office had a large military style vehicle on site that’s used for active shooter situations, while the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission displayed their watercraft for all to see.
The N.C. Highway Patrol was also present, as Master Trooper William Vespasian was eager to show folks his equipment and how he is able to reconstruct an accident scene.
There was no shortage of folks who gathered to see the canine officers demonstrate what they do best – locate items, apprehend an individual and sniff out drugs.
Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Dore played the roll of the “bad guy,” while Canine Officer Ellie, upon command, brought him to the ground. Luckily, Dore was wearing a bite suit that protected him from injury.
Children seemed to enjoy learning about what can cause house fires, how to prevent them and ways to escape should one occur. Murphy Fire Chief Al Lovingood offered his department’s safety house for the event, which takes kids through a smoke-filled trailer paired with a member of the department, who instructs them on what to do.
National Night Out was introduced in August 1984 through an established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first event involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states.
Details: Visit natw.org/about.