National Night Out draws crowd
Aiden Ray, 4, tries a few of the controls in a Moses Lake police car at National Night Out on Tuesday. The annual event allows children to ask questions of local law enforcement and promotes crime prevention.
MOSES LAKE - For the third year, Sinkiuse Square rang with sirens followed by excited giggles. Police Chief Dave Ruffin called Tuesday's National Night Out Against Crime the biggest yet for Moses Lake.
"The first time we tried it, we got maybe five people," Ruffin said. "Now it's great to see all these kids and families out here." The event, which has grown exponentially in Moses Lake, is part of a national movement to encourage crime prevention by allowing the public to mingle with and ask questions of local law enforcement.
"It's a good chance for people to meet the officers and it lets people know what's out there to help them," Ruffin said. Moses Lake's National Night Out featured a variety of booths providing information on everything from fire safety to seatbelt regulations and sports injury prevention.
"Our community partners have really helped with getting people to come out for this," Ruffin said. "We've got the Boys and Girls Club, Safe Kids, Youth Dynamics and a lot of others here tonight."
Moses Lake's National Night Out included a free barbecue and myriad activities for young guests. Besides taking their tum exploring a police car or fire engine, kids could also hula hoop, play in a bouncy house or try their hand at a bean bag toss. Youth Dynamic offered a face-painting booth and there were plenty of prizes for small deputies to collect. After all of the fun, Firefly Cafe provided free ice cream cones to cap off the night.
Tiffani St. Peter, of Moses Lake, said this was her second National Night Out, supporting her husbandwho works for the city.
"I like it," she said, "but I think the kids like it even more."
The event also provided an opportunity for free fingerprinting, as well as plenty of education to help parents keep their children safe.
"I like that the city took the time to put this on," Myri Baker said, showing her children through their first National Night Out. "It's good to see this much unity; it really brings the community together."
Heron Creek Apartments in Moses Lake also held a Night Out event, offering a free barbecue and kids' activities to residents.