Quincy National Night Out scales down

QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department.

“National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.”

National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.

The change of venue was originally due to planned construction at Lauzier Park, Westby explained, but then Mother Nature intervened to force a change of date as well.

“When National Night was supposed to happen was our first day of the big heavy smoke (from wildfires),” Westby said. “We canceled due to the smoke, and then we were on the fence whether or not to cancel it altogether. Thankfully, we ran out of time to return everything, so it forced us to do something.”

The crowd didn’t seem to mind the change; Westby received positive feedback, he said.

National Night Out is a nationwide event in which police have a chance to interact with the people they protect on a friendly basis. Most communities hold it on or about the first Tuesday of August, but the air quality forced both Moses Lake and Ephrata to postpone theirs until Sept. 15.

“These events are so much fun,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete. “Seeing the smiles on the kids and the community coming out is great … We're very fortunate to be in law enforcement in Grant County, whether it's the municipalities or the sheriff's office. We get a lot of support from our community.”

“It’s a good turnout, good food,” Westby said. “Everyone’s happy.”

    Quincy Police serve up hot dogs at National Night Out Thursday.
  

    Topher Bandy (left), 7, checks out a fire truck with the help of Riley Gates at National Night Out in Quincy Thursday.
  

    Quincy residents enjoy hot dogs and community at National Night Out Thursday. The event was moved to the street outside the Quincy Police Station, a change from past years at Lauzier Park.