Law enforcement has fun, makes connections in Mattawa
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 3 weeks AGO
Mattawa Police Chief Alex Zesati, left, and Kalya Saldana try eating a doughnut with no hands during National Night Out in Mattawa Aug. 8.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Maryana Martinez, left, had plenty of questions of for Mark Pannek of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office about GCSO’s patrol boat.
Members of the Pequenos Guerrero dancers perform during National Night Out in Mattawa.
Children swarmed the playground toys in Mattawa’s Hund Park during National Night Out.
Mattawa Police Department Chief Alex Zesati, left, and Kayla Saldana discuss doughnuts during National Night Out.
Grant County Fire District 8 provided a good way to cool off during National Night Out in Mattawa.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | August 13, 2025 3:00 AM
MATTAWA — Mattawa Police Chief Alex Zesati said National Night Out is one of the Mattawa Police Department’s best nights of the year.
“I would say National Night Out is one of our favorite times of the year,” Zesati said. “It’s basically because of the connection we get with the public.”
That’s part of the rationale for National Night Out, allowing people to meet law enforcement officers in a non-emergency environment. Zesati said there’s more to it than that.
“It’s also a reminder that public safety is a team effort, and that the trust and relationships are built in moments like these,” he said.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office patrol boat was parked alongside Mattawa’s Hund Park, and it definitely caught the attention of Maryana Martinez. She eagerly climbed up and explored it, peppering Mark Pannek, GCSO special operations sergeant, with questions. Pannek said it was the third NNO appearance of the week, both for the boat and for him, but it was worth it.
“It’s good community outreach,” he said. “(It demonstrates that) really we’re not scary guys with badges and guns.”
Zesati was a participant in the doughnut-eating contest, which in Mattawa means eating a doughnut with no hands. Kayla Saldana had a few questions for him on technique, and Zesati had to admit he couldn’t answer them all.
Grant County Fire District 8 brought out the ladder truck and set it up to spray water at one end of the park, while local organizations set up information booths. The Pequenos Guerreros dance troupe from the Wahluke School District was invited to perform at a state educational conference this week, and showed off what they could do at National Night Out.
Instructor Oralia Lopez said she started the dance troupe four years ago with second graders. The goal is to encourage the children to remember their heritage, she said.
Maryana Martinez, left, had plenty of questions of for Mark Pannek of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office about GCSO’s patrol boat.
Members of the Pequenos Guerrero dancers perform during National Night Out in Mattawa.
Children swarmed the playground toys in Mattawa’s Hund Park during National Night Out.
Mattawa Police Department Chief Alex Zesati, left, and Kayla Saldana discuss doughnuts during National Night Out.
Grant County Fire District 8 provided a good way to cool off during National Night Out in Mattawa.ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
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