(Banner courtesy ACPD)
The Arkansas City Police Department’s “National Night Out” event will return Monday and Tuesday after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
According to a news release from the police department, the event begins with a kickoff party from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday in Wilson Park, located at 701 N. Summit St., followed by block parties at various sites throughout Ark City from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“There are a couple things that have stood the test of time with the Arkansas City Police Department,” said Police Chief Eric Burr. “The annual DARE Camp held during the summer for middle school students is one and National Night Out is the other. For the last 25 years, National Night Out has proven to be a flagship program for ACPD.”
National Night Out is an initiative that brings the community together to heighten crime prevention efforts. Through the years, the police department has relied on this program to connect with the public by hosting the kickoff party and then facilitating neighborhood block parties the next night.
During the program’s early years, NNO was held during the first week of August, as in other cities.
However, with the summer heat at its peak during that timeframe, the City of Arkansas City years ago made the switch to the first Monday and Tuesday in October, when the weather is more tolerable for citizens to be outside for longer periods of time.
In the last six years, ACPD has focused many of its efforts on increasing community outreach with programs such as Popsicle Patrol, Coffee with a Cop, and many school-based visits that include reading with students, Bigs in Blue and lunch/recess visits.
“Our outreach programs, coupled with National Night Out and DARE Camp, help us to build strong relationships with the community,” Burr said. “It is more important than ever that community and police relations are given a top priority.”
The kickoff party in Wilson Park on Monday will consist of food donated and prepared by Creekstone Farms and the Optimist Club. Plenty of fun and games will be available, along with karaoke.
Informational booths will be on hand, to include the City of Ark City and the Suicide Prevention of Cowley County Coalition.
There also will be inflatables for the kids, and officers will be there to play ball and games, as well.
Tuesday night will feature block parties that will be attended to by police department personnel.
“This is a great opportunity to get out and meet your neighbors,” Burr said, encouraging citizens to participate in their neighborhood’s planned events. “Block parties that have submitted a request to the department through their website or in person can have barricades delivered to protect your street during your party. Crime prevention materials also will be passed out at block parties.”
For more information about National Night Out, call the police department at (620) 441-6601.
