Northwest Arkansas Police Departments Plan National Night Out Events

Several Northwest Arkansas police departments plan to hold community meet-and-greet events Aug. 5 during National Night Out, a nationwide event to build trust between police and residents.

"It's meant to be a unity thing between police and the community in the fight against crime," said Keith Foster, Rogers police spokesman.

AT A GLANCE

National Night Out

Where to go to visit with police and emergency workers Aug. 5

• Springdale — 6-10 p.m. at the park on the west side of The Jones Center, located at 922 E. Emma Ave. The clinics are 6-8 p.m. and an outdoor movie, “The Lego Movie,” starts at 8:30 p.m.

• Rogers — 6-8 p.m. at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s, 1200 W. Walnut St.

• Bella Vista — 5-8 p.m. the Kingsdale pavilion off Riordan Road near Riordan Hall.

Source: Staff Report

Police in Springdale, Bella Vista and Rogers have committed to hold a community event for National Night Out, spokesmen there said. National Night Out is "designed to help build trust between the police and the community they serve," according to a Springdale Police Department news release.

The event was started in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization. Communities are encouraged to hold block parties, pass out information about crime prevention and build partnerships between police and residents, according to the group's website.

This is the first year Rogers has participated in the event, Foster said. Rogers firefighters and the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary's are working together to make the event happen, said Mike Gilbert, chief operating officer of The Jones Trust which operates the nonprofits center.

Mayor Greg Hines said the event is an opportunity for residents to meet emergency service workers when they aren't experiencing an emergency. National Night Out is good for everyone, he said.

"It's as much of a benefit for those of us who serve the public as it is for the public," Hines said.

Foster said police plan to have a bouncy house, hot dogs and kids' activities. Residents can see fire trucks and police cars, and meet their emergency workers, Foster said.

In Bella Vista, police are getting ready for their fourth annual National Night Out event, said Police Chief Ken Farmer.

"The more our community knows about us, the more they are acquainted with different members of the department, the more comfortable they will be with calling us," Farmer said. "You always feel better about something when you are familiar with it."

The Bella Vista event will include music, hot dogs and hamburgers, and information on programs like drug collection, Farmer said.

In Washington County, Springdale police are using National Night Out as a "grand finale to our summer outreach initiatives," according to the department's news release.

The event will include car seat clinics, and identification cards and games for kids. A blood drive is also planned, and The Jones Center will open the pool, ice rink and basketball courts. The event ends with an 8:30 p.m. outdoor showing of "The Lego Movie," according to the release.

Bentonville and Fayetteville are not participating in National Night Out, their spokesmen said. Fayetteville, which has participated in the past, offers similar events to build trust between residents and police, said Sgt. Craig Stout, Police Department spokesman.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for the Bella Vista event, Farmer said. Foster said he isn't sure how many residents will come out for Rogers' National Night Out, but police are excited.

"It should be a fun event," Hines said. "Come get a hot dog."

NW News on 07/29/2014

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