More often than not, if you’re interacting with a local police officer, you’re likely having an incredibly bad day. That won’t be the case on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
This year, Springfield, Creswell, and Cottage Grove communities will celebrate the 41st National Night Out (NNO), an annual community building campaign that promotes public safety and aims to strengthen relationships between neighbors and law enforcement.
“A lot of the time people feel intimidated to talk to a police officer,” said Alex Speldrich, Creswell’s sergeant with Lane County Sheriff’s Office. “This is the perfect opportunity for us to really show we are normal people that just do this for a job.”
The event draws neighbors out of their homes to celebrate block parties, festivals, parades, and cookouts.
This is Cottage Grove’s first year celebrating NNO, which will be held at Coiner Park from 5-7 p.m.
“If we don’t get out and engage with the community and see them in a different capacity, their only interactions with us are going to be through enforcement actions. “That’s not the relationship we want with the community,” said Cory Chase, Cottage Grove Police chief. During the event, kids can play one on one basketball with their local officers and have the opportunity to “dunk a cop” in the dunk tank. There will be activity tables with temporary tattoos, hot dogs, and free Kona Ice for the first 100 attendees.
Creswell is no stranger to NNO. Last year, the event attracted over 400 attendees, which is the largest number of participants since COVID-19. They are back at it again this year at Harry Holt Memorial Park from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
“It’s been a really great opportunity for people to get to know the deputies for their areas, and also see what capabilities the sheriff’s office brings,” said Tim Wallace, LCSO’s sergeant and public information officer. This year, three deputies are facing-off in a cutthroat pie eating competition. There will be a dunk tank for citizens to plunge LCSO deputies, too.
Sanipac will again roll in on its locally lauded Duck Truck, a variety of different vendors, and a safety equipment giveaway. Officers will conduct K9 and emergency vehicle demonstrations, and the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse will show off some of their horses.
LCSO splits resources between Creswell and Veneta for their own respective NNO celebrations, so the equipment on display varies from year to year.
Springfield takes a different approach to NNO, hosting the event as an open house at the local police department at 230 4th St. from 4-7 p.m. The open house is an opportunity to see the patrol lot and get more comfortable around their local department.
“We want the people to see where we work. We want people to meet our officers and see the gear that we use… and we want them to meet the officers before a call,” said Zak Gosa-Lewis Springfield’s public information officer.
Every year people look forward to the K9 and drone demonstrations conducted by the local officers. They’ll have vehicle tours to show off equipment, free Kona Ice, and a dunk tank with local officers.
“It’s important for folks to see the officers when its not an emergency, it’s really enjoyable for the officers to see these folks in a fun circle,” Gosa-Lewis said. “A lot of the time it’s that person’s worst day of the year… so if we can be available and accessible for these nice fun moments, especially for kids, it sets a good precedent that if they need help, an officer is someone you can trust.”
This is the first year the department has partnered with Springfield Utility Board (SUB) to bring misters and a water bottle filling station to make the heat more bearable throughout the event.
It’s supposed to get up to 93 degrees, so make sure to run through the mister when you get a chance.
There will be a variety of non-profit booths, including Kids FIRST, which is Lane County Children’s Advocacy Center and works closely with the SPD for the event every year.
