BROOKINGS – Law enforcement has been under the microscope across the nation in the past couple years, and some Americans have lost trust in authorities.
However, Brookings area law enforcement is looking to steer away from the negativity and build community with an upcoming event.
From 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, the Brookings and South Dakota State University police departments are bringing their campaign to Pioneer Park.
National Night Out is a community-police awareness-raising event that usually takes place the first Tuesday of every August dating back to 1984. It happens in thousands of communities across the nation and even in some Canadian cities.
The event is to help promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer. The event is free to the public and kid friendly; the police department invites everyone to come out.
“It’s a good opportunity to come out and ask questions that people might have or just come and talk to us everyday people because that’s what we are,” Officer Michael Popp said.
Popp said this allows people to meet law enforcement as a whole instead of just the shoulders up, since most officers are mostly seen from their cars. The police departments along with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and the South Dakota Highway Patrol plan to attend.
Organizers hope to have direct dialog with community members and build relationships. Popp wants the people to feel more at home with the officers. Activities include vehicle displays from each department. Attendees will also get the chance to talk with dispatchers, watch a K-9 demonstration and Brookings SWAT display and enjoy music and other entertainment.
UPD Officer Jeffrey Conrad and Brookings County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Gengler were two other driving forces to starting the local National Night Out. Popp said that the three of them got together and planned the event.
“We are as strong as our neighboring entity,” Popp said. “We all worked together very early; we like to get together as a whole crowd and not just have one agency put it on.”
This is the first time it will happen in Brookings and serve as a block party. The departments hope to make this an annual event and grow each year.
