Ordinarily, police, firefighters and EMTs do not meet people under the best of circumstances. Often when they do it is because of a crime, a fire or a vehicular accident.
The Corbin Police Department’s National Night Out event Thursday is designed to give the community a way to meet first responders in a more informal setting.
National Night Out is annual community-building campaign, which promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live, according to the national group’s website.
This will be the second year the Corbin Police Department has taken part.
Corbin Police Patrolman Brentley Patrick noted it brings the community to a spot where they can see what the police do.
This year’s Corbin Police Department event will be held at the Corbin Arena, which is located as 50 Arena Drive in Corbin, from 5-7 p.m.
Last year, the Corbin Police Department was able to secure 400 toys to give away to local youngsters and all of them were given to attendees. Unfortunately, the department was unable to secure toys to give away again this year, Patrick said.
This year, there will be a police car, fire truck and ambulance attendees can check out in addition to inflatables for the children, music and free food and drink.
Patrick said Walmart is donating hot dogs and chips. Pepsi is donating drinks.
In addition, several other agencies will be represented, including the Whitley County Detention Center, school family resource centers, the Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services Whitley County office, and Cumberland River Victims’ Services among others.
“We are a lot more prepared this year,” Patrick added.
