Night out promises bouncy house, treats
Kids line up for ice cream during the Moses Lake Night Out last year. The event, which was organized by the Moses Lake Police Department, was geared toward enhancing awareness of crime prevention and drew hundreds of people.
MOSES LAKE - Come out, come out, wherever you are.
Local law enforcement officials are planning on participating at this year's National Night Out on Tuesday.
Both Moses Lake and Quincy police departments are sponsoring the non-crime oriented event to get people out and reclaiming their community from crime.
The event, in its 29th year across the nation, is a crime- and drug-prevention event that occurs each Aug. 7.
Civic groups, law enforcement, local businesses and neighborhood organizations band together nationwide to get people out on the street and out of criminal activities.
The coast-to-coast event is designed to heighten crime awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs, and send a message to criminals to let them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.The Moses Lake Police Department is holding their National Night Out on Tuesday at the Laketown Landing.
Live music will be provided by the Centennial Band, and plenty of free and family-focused activities will be on hand.
In its third year, Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin said he's looking forward to the event.
"We've got a lot more information for people, and it's a good, central location for people to come out and learn about crime prevention," he said.
The department called the night a unique event designed to enhance public awareness about crime prevention.
Several activities and booths for parents and children alike will be available at the event, from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday.
Many community groups are involved, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Inland Blood Bank, Grant County Emergency Management, New Hope and Youth Dynamics.
Free food, ice cream and children's fingerprinting will be available, as well as a bouncy house from the Boys and Girls Club.
"We've got a lot of partners who are going to be involved this year," Ruffin said.Quincy's night out will begin Monday, Aug. 6, from 4-8 p.m. at Quincy High School.
In Quincy, events continue Tuesday, with times to be announced at a later date."We're looking to motivate the community to stand up and be proud in who they are and what they represent," Quincy Police Officer Joe Westby said. "The primary goal is to bring the community together and say goodbye to crime and drugs."
L-Bow the Clown and Ballet Ixtlilton well provided entertainment,
Food will be served as well.National Night Out programs throughout the nation feature block parties, cookouts, parades, contest and youth programs that encourage local safety and anti-crime measures.
All events are free to participate in. More than 37 million people are expected to participate nationwide.
Communities up and down the region have participated, as well as across the nation.
Representatives from both Moses Lake and Quincy police departments said they expect more participants this year.