National Night Out: An opportunity to mingle and see a movie

The community is invited to come out and meet Kernersville’s law enforcement officials and the fire department at National Night Out on Aug. 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Harmon Park in Kernersville.

This is a yearly event planned by the Kernersville Police Department.

Members of the KPD will be at the event, as well as police cars, the Bearcat armored vehicle the SWAT team uses, members of local fire departments and a fire truck and classic cars.

The event will coincide with Music at the Park, with the movie “Zootopia” beginning at 6:45 p.m. It is a 2016 American animated comedy from Walt Disney Pictures. Taking place in the titular city where anthropomorphic mammals coexist, it tells a story of an unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a fox con artist as they uncover a criminal conspiracy involving the disappearance of some of the city’s predatory citizens.

Police Chief Jason Tilley and Kernersville Fire Rescue Chief Scott Alderman pointed out the importance the event plays in helping to establish a positive rapport with the community.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity to bring members of the community and officers of the Kernersville Police Department together for an evening. It is an excellent time to build rapport and to show the citizens how much we appreciate their support,” Tilley said. “The goal of the Kernersville Police Department is to protect and serve this great community we live in, but we cannot do it alone. National Night Out provides the opportunity for neighbors to get to know neighbors and officers, share their mutual love for our town and work together to continue making this a wonderful place to live, work, and play.”

Alderman added, “What we enjoy about the event is an opportunity to meet with the community and talk about the fire department and the services that we provide, and also to hear from the community if they have questions or concerns about anything. It gives us a chance to connect to them and have fellowship. We enjoy the community support and what they do for us.”

According to the National Night Out website, the event “enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

This is the 41st year National Night Out has been held in this country. Since its inception, millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October.

Over the years, the KPD made the event more inclusive, inviting the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department and the Kernersville Parks & Recreation Department to participate, making it an event where visitors can come out and meet their town of Kernersville team members.

The event is for people of all ages. No tickets are needed and free parking is available.