CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 41st annual National Night Out brought police officers, firefighters, and community members together Tuesday evening in Charleston.
National Night Out is a nationwide event where over 17,000 communities across the country engage with law enforcement, and 6th Street on Charleston’s West Side came together in a cookout format for the neighborhoods first time hosting the event.
Jean Myers, the community organizer for the area, says the cookout atmosphere is a good way to let the kids have fun and let the adults get out of the house.
“We’re doing hot dogs and different things, letting the kids play,” Myers said Tuesday evening. “Maybe some of the neighbors will come out because they stay inside a lot.”
The neighbors did just that, as adults and kids on 6th Street began flooding the street with water guns, water balloons and footballs before the kids’ attention shifted to the Charleston Fire Department’s water hose.
Charleston resident Darwina Mauk, who was serving hot dogs and chips, says she loves this event because of what it offers the kids of the neighborhood.
“I love it,” Mauk said. “I love it that they can go out and not have to worry about anything and be kids.”
More kids than just the ones residing on 6th Street were able to enjoy the evening with law enforcement, as Charleston had six different events spread out across the city on Tuesday.
Charleston Police Corporal John Koerber says he and his team are often around community members, but they are using Tuesday’s events to meet new people.
“We’re in the community services division so we already have a good rapport with the communities, but we get to meet new people that don’t otherwise come to the (community) meetings and interact with us on a regular basis.”
Perhaps the most popular part thing at the 6th Street cookout, was the front seat of the Charleston Fire Department firetruck. Firefighters and police officers watched and interacted with young children that wanted to sit in the front seat and sound the horn, which echoed throughout Charleston’s West Side.
Myers says the kids on her block need to meet and interact with the police.
“They need to see the policemen because a lot of them are afraid of them (the police),” Myers said. “The parents say, ‘if you aren’t good, the police will come and arrest you.’ You shouldn’t tell kids that.”
Mauk says kids need to know law enforcement because they may rely on them later on.
“I think it’s really important because they really do need to know who they (the police) are if they ever need help.”