QPD gets corny with the community at National Night Out

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 8 months AGO

The substitute game for water balloons drew plenty of players at the Quincy Police Department’s National Night Out Monday.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

Quincy Police Department staff rock out to the music during National Night Out Monday, joined by a small bystander.

Gael Lopez, left, and Adrian Sanchez, right, both 3, happily wear their fire hats at National Night Out.

Participants missed the target a few times, but the law of averages caught up with Quincy Parks and Recreation Director Pat Harrington during National Night Out Monday.

Gael Lopez plays Connect the Dots during Quincy’s National Night Out.

Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman, left, gives a sticker to Jesus Arellano.

Quincy Police Detective Jazz Silva, left, and Officer Sal Mancini dish up hot dogs during National Night Out Monday.

QUINCY — The line was long at the booth where Quincy Police Department officers were serving hot dogs and roasted corn.

“Hot corn! Hot corn! Coming through! Coming through!” said QPD Detective Damon Powell as he made his way to the booth with a full pan.

QPD’s National Night Out drew a big crowd to Lauzier Park Monday, to look at cool police cars, motorcycles and fire trucks, play games, listen to music and meet QPD officers as well as other law enforcement officers and firefighters.

“It’s called family fun in the park,” said QPD Sergeant, and NNO organizer, Julie Fuller.

The events — and the hot dogs, corn and ice cream — were free, and Fuller said that was by design. Quincy businesses and residents donated supplies and money or provided supplies at cost, she said.

“The community makes it happen,” Fuller said.

Quincy Chief Ryan Green said community residents usually meet police officers in demanding situations, and National Night Out gives residents and law enforcement a chance to interact when there’s less stress.

“It’s an opportunity for law enforcement to get together with their community, in a way that’s non-law enforcement,” Green said. “Have some open conversations, (meet) our community in a safe, friendly environment.”

He said it’s one of his favorite events of the year.

The QPD had some of its patrol cars lined up, lights flashing. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office brought motorcycles as well as police cars, and its tactical response vehicle. The City of Quincy brought the fire truck with the 100-foot ladder, and extended it all the way out.

Quincy Valley Medical Center invited children to play a beanbag game based on the old game “Operation.” Organizations from Hope Source to Big Bend Community College set up information booths.

Parks and Recreation Director Russ Harrington volunteered to sit under the dump bucket, smaller than a dunk tank but sufficient to soak the victim. A friend of Harrington’s, walking by, playfully threatened to take a turn.

“I’ve seen you throw, so I’m safe,” Harrington said.

Law enforcement agencies nationwide participate in National Night Out, which is usually in late July or early August. Quincy’s National Night Out started in 2011, Fuller said. She had joined the department the previous year and asked the then-chief why the city didn’t participate. He promptly appointed her to plan it the next year, she said.

“This is just a nice, relaxed thing,” Fuller said. “You get to get out and visit. You get to put a face to our names.”

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at [email protected].