Mark your calendars for August 6 because that’s when police departments around Berrien County will hold their annual Police National Night Out events.
St. Joseph Township Police Department Lieutenant Rick Knapp tells us National Night Out has been going on every summer for 41 years. It’s a chance for the public to meet their police department.
“We interact with community members to get a good relationship with public safety and get to see what your tax dollars are going for with different equipment displays,” Knapp said.
Knapp says hundreds of people always come out to the National Night Out to meet officers and see the equipment.
“That’s one of the things that makes it fun to participate in and to have a positive contact with the community because most of the time when we have contact with the community, somebody’s calling 911, they’re having their worst day, and now we can meet them on a more relaxed environment.”
Knapp says last year’s Night Out in St. Joseph Township served up about 600 ice cream sundaes, 550 brats, and 200 hot dogs. They’ll aim to do the same this year, along with offering beverages.
The plan is for a Med Flight helicopter to arrive at Maiden Lane Park around the Night Out’s start time of 5:30. There will also be hot air balloon rides and vehicles from police, fire, and ambulance agencies. The St. Joseph Township event will also feature the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety and Lincoln Township Police Department.
Meanwhile, the Buchanan Police Department will also hold a Night Out August 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Creek Park. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety traditionally holds its Night Out the same night at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park with Benton Township Police on hand.
