FREDERICKTOWN — Knox County first responders took a brief intermission from saving lives and instead decided to educate and entertain folks at Fredericktown’s National Night Out event on Tuesday night.
National Night Out (NNO) takes place across the country on the first Tuesday in August every year and has been since 1984.
The event’s purpose is to generate “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live,” according to NNO’s website.
“It started as a program where neighbors were supposed to turn on their porch lights,” Fredericktown Police Chief Tracey Myers said. “Then it kind of evolved into more of a block party event where people can come together and talk to police officers and first responders.”
Fredericktown’s NNO show
The block party-style night was in full effect, and Knox County’s finest put on a show for those they serve.
Two life flight helicopters flew in and landed in a nearby field, while a large vintage car show was parked steps away from the makeshift helipad.
Free hot dogs and snacks were available while food trucks surrounded a stage where ’70s and ’80s covers were played.
And of course, fire trucks, police cruisers, SWAT vehicles, ambulances, a trailered police boat, and more were all staged with the respective first responders standing by to chat with citizens.
Myers, the ringleader for the evening, introduced the following authorities from Fredericktown and beyond:
- State Highway Patrol
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office
- Knox County Emergency Management Agency
- Mount Vernon Police Department
- Mount Vernon Fire Department
- Bellville Police Department
- Danville Police Department
“If the community doesn’t know the police officers on a first-name basis, sometimes it’s harder for them to call the stranger,” Myers said. “Where, if they know the police officer by first name, or they’ve recognized them, they can then reach out and say, ‘Hey, I had this in my neighborhood, can you help me out with that?’
“We can’t do our job unless the citizens’ eyes and ears are out there, and they’re giving us that information that we need to do our job more effectively.”
The event drew a great crowd, and first responders were happy to answer any questions locals had, all while having a little bit of fun.
