Partnership in Action: Carson City's National Night out returns to Mills Park Tuesday

The Carson City Sheriff's Office will host its enormously popular community crime prevention gathering Tuesday with the return of National Night Out, a public safety information and educational family event at Mills Park that traditionally draws thousands.

Festivities will be at Mills Park from 5 to 8 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office joins National Association of Town Watch and law enforcement agencies across the United States this Tuesday to create a information-filled evening centered around crime related awareness.

Due to smoke from wildfires in the region, organizers are urging participants who attend the event to limit their exposure if the smoke begins to affect them.

“While we encourage everyone to come, we would also like for everyone to exercise good judgement and know their limits with the smoky environment and to be careful so they are not over-exposed,” said organizer and DARE Officer Lisa Davis.

The theme of Carson City's National Night Out is "Partnership in Action" as a way to develop and maintain strong police-community partnerships.

In celebration and recognition of the educational opportunities and benefits from National Night Out, Mayor Bob Crowell proclaimed August 2018 as Law Enforcement and Public Safety Crime Prevention Month.

This is the 16th year that Carson City Sheriff’s Office has partnered with NATW to celebrate by giving "Crime a Going Away Party." The safest park party of the year will have more than 140 agencies participating, bringing with them equipment such as aircraft, law enforcement vehicles, mounted horses, fire engines, information fliers, prizes, music, games and more.

There will be many hands-on activities and games, to go along with the mountains of prizes, information bags, free hot dogs, chips, water and sodas. Among the new events will be an AT&T Virtual Reality goggle experience where participants will experience for themselves in VR the dangers of texting and driving.

There will also be a Cobra military helicopter that belongs to a private company which will land as well as a Care Flight helicopter.

Several agencies are bringing new vehicles and equipment and displays, and U.S. Marines recruiters will be helping with the setup and cleanup. The event is full. Agencies must be registered in order to set up.

Meanwhile, the Elks Club will be on hand to cook up 2,500 hot dogs and give out bags of chips for the event, as well as handing out 4,000 sodas and bottled water.

The Carson City National Night Out is hosted by the Carson City Sheriffs Office as it generates the funds annually to pay for the event through its own funds, Justice Assistance Grant and donations it receives from businesses.

The purpose of National Night Out is to:
— Heighten public awareness of crime, substance abuse and violence prevention;
— Generate support for participation in local anti-crime programs;
— Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and,
— Send a message to criminals letting them know that citizens in our neighborhoods are taking an active stand against crime.
— Create partnerships between law enforcement and the community

In Carson City, this event represents the culmination of all of the efforts it takes throughout the year to address crime and substance abuse, and sometimes mental health issues in the justice system. In 2017, the National Association of Town Watch reported that 38.6 million people participated in 16,377 communities from all 50 states. U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.

In Carson City, this is also an opportunity to join forces with local law enforcement, public safety and military organizations.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong notes the partnership in action theme extends throughout the community and culminates with a night for citizens, families and agencies to meet for information and community fellowship.

“National Night Out is focused on crime. Here in Carson City we have a central place where people can meet law enforcement and public safety officials from throughout this entire region,” said Sheriff Furlong. “Our event presents the public with a very unique opportunity where people can meet with agencies from multiple jurisdictions at a local park in the center of the city. Not many places have that.”

Carson City Sheriff’s Office has received national recognition every year we have participated in National Night Out and local sponsors have been a huge part of that success.

Last year, Carson City Sheriff’s Office received national recognition for Outstanding Community Participation and was ranked “among the nation’s best” and was listed 5th in its category because it was so well attended, said Davis.

“Carson City Sheriff’s Office doesn’t just have the support of the community for this event, but the affection of the community,” said Davis, noting the effort grows every year in attendance, with more than 12,000 visitors in 2017. “This event is functional in that it teaches people of all ages what to do to prevent crime and promote safety, and what to do to report it if something doesn’t look right.”

Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce recognized the Carson City Sheriff’s Office this year for providing the “Best of the Best Ongoing Annual Event.”

Among the event sponsors are: Grocery Outlet, RCM Realty Group, Toiyabe Golf Course, SW Gas Corporation, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, DBA, Sunspot Tanning, Kadee Mason American Family Insurance, Elks & Emblem Club, Liz’s Biz, Dave’s Supplies, Monarch Direct, Carson Now, Tom Noble Construction, Cal Neva Towing and Child & Family Counseling.