IRVINE, Calif.—Thousands of residents Aug. 1 enjoyed the “National Night Out,” where communities across the nation come together to meet law enforcement in an effort to bolster relations.
The Irvine Police Department along with the city’s fire department, other first responders, the National Guard, and many others were on hand at Woodbury Community Park to engage with locals.
Hundreds of families brought their young children to the evening event to snap photos with officials from various law enforcement agencies, many of whom passed out badge stickers, bubble kits, and other treats for children.
“[National Night Out] helps police get engaged with the public so they can get to know us in non-emergency situations. It’s an easy-going atmosphere to talk with the community about their questions and concerns,” Irvine Police Officer Tyler Hollenbeck told The Epoch Times.
SWAT Officer Nick Kim showcases his unit’s gear to local families at the "National Night Out" at Woodbury Community Park in Irvine, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2023. (Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times)
The Irvine SWAT team brought their all-black armored truck, bulletproof vests, door rams, shields, night vision helmets, and other tools for civilians to touch and take photos with, and answered questions from those interested in their work.
“We try to quell any misconceptions out there about law enforcement. For example, SWAT resolves a lot of issues without using lethal tactics and de-escalates issues very well,” SWAT Sgt. Nick Kim told The Epoch Times at the event.
Also nearby was the city’s drone team, which showcased drones used for surveillance, finding missing persons, and even for communications via specialty speakers attached to the flying devices. Officers also flew the drones over the crowd, showcasing their camera work on giant television screens.
The city’s fire agency was also on hand passing out free chilled water to the crowd and performed a special ladder demonstration where firefighters extended the truck’s ladder 100 feet into the air followed by a trained first responder climbing up and down the ladder.
Firefighters from Orange County Fire Authority conduct ladder demonstration to families at the "National Night Out" at Woodbury Community Park in Irvine, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2023. (Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times)
“I don’t know how they do that without getting scared. That’s so high,” bystander and Irvine resident Jimin Lu told The Epoch Times.
Volunteers from Irvine’s Community Emergency Response Team were also on hand offering free course sign-ups on emergency preparedness. The four-week free course offers CPR training, earthquake preparedness, how to operate a defibrillator, disaster recovery following natural disasters, first aid, triage, and more.
National Night Out began in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the mid-1980s. According to organizers, the first event in August of 1984 involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states, and has grown each year ever since.
According to the National Association of Town Watch, the nonprofit behind the National Night Out, the event was created to “build safer communities” by providing safety tools and resources to neighborhoods while fostering residents’ relationships with law enforcement agencies.
An Irvine SWAT officer poses for photo with local children alongside his unit’s SWAT truck at the city's National Night Out at Woodbury Community Park in Irvine, Calif., on Aug. 1. (Carol Cassis/The Epoch Times)
