Apopka Police Dept. and Emerson Park HOA partner to host National Night Out in October

This free event will have emergency vehicles and equipment on display, food & drinks, music, bounce houses, McGruff the Crime Dog, and much more

From Staff Reports

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. This time together enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.

While 2020 was a skip year for all the reasons we know so well, Apopka is back and ready!

Photo courtesy of National Night Out website

The Apopka Police Department has partnered with Emerson Park HOA to host the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Emerson Park Community Field (by the clubhouse located at 1255 Tallow Road, Apopka).

Apopka's finest will be on site for this free event with a slate full of fun, from having emergency vehicles and equipment on display, to food & drinks, music, bounce houses, McGruff the Crime Dog, and much more!

This will be a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in NNO across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. Many neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

History of National Night Out

This community event was introduced by Lieutenant Matt Oglesbee from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation.

"My hope for starting this campaign was to reach the community and let them see the officers of our department in a positive light," said Oglesbee. "This event brings police officers and the members of the community together in a fun setting and gives them the opportunity to get to know the officers and ask questions."

The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. At the last count, per the NNO website, it's up to 38 million neighbors across 16,000 communities, and as mentioned all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.

Photo courtesy of NNO website

"The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. National Night Out triumphs over a culture that isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own communities."

- Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former Senator for Texas

If you have any questions or need additional information, you can Email Officer Jason Wiggins to learn more.

Photo courtesy of NNO website