Hundreds of families making up, perhaps, several thousand people, gathered Tuesday night at Mills Park in Carson City to attend the region's largest public safety event, the 27th annual National Night Out.
The program, sponsored by the Carson City Sheriff's Office and the National Association of Town Watch, ended at 8 p.m. with a finale that included a roaring of sirens and the departure of military aircraft. Click here to see more photos.
Carson City citizens were encouraged to turn on their porch lights and keep them on overnight as a way to show support for the national public safety event. In all there are at least 400 other communities nationwide celebrated Tuesday's event.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
"We're really pleased with the turn out tonight," said Sheriff Ken Furlong. "More than anything this is about the kids. Our kids get the opportunity to meet with the officers and parents get an opportunity to talk with officers and public safety representatives from all of Carson City. We are fortunate in Carson City to have one night where you can meet all these folks who protect Carson City. Where else can you go but to the center of town to see them all in one place."
One of the biggest draws, literally was having two large military helicopters, a CH47 Delta Chinook and a UH60 Black Hawk. It is the second year the military has made a presence with the helicopters. Each flew in from the Army Aviation Facility out of the Reno/Stead airport. Also on hand was a Care Flight helicopter, which brought dozens of people to see it arrive, talk to the pilot and staff.
Meanwhile, hot dogs, soft drinks and water were handed out by the thousands by volunteeers. Sponsors include Smith's Food and Drug, Target Stores, Grocery Outlet, Round Table Pizza, Economy Speed Press, Benson’s Feed, Empire Ranch Golf Course, the Carson City Downtown Business Association, Cal Neva Towing, Kemp’s Fun Jumpers’, Nevada Appeal and Carson Now.
National Night Out is paid for by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and through a grant by the BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance.
Representatives tonight include the Carson City Fire Department, The Carson City District Attorney's Office, Secret Witness, Carson City Health and Human Services, Youth and Family Services, Congressman Dean Heller representative Ashley Carrigan, The Washoe Tribe Police Department of Nevada and California, First Judicial District Court Department, Alternative Sentencing, Carson City Justice Court, The Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City Search and Rescue, Douglas County, the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nevada Air National Guard, the U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, other military branches and numerous other organizations.
We will update and list them as they become available. If your group was not listed, contact us at editor@carsonnow.org.