LAKE ARTHUR — The Lake Arthur Police Department is inviting the public to get to know law enforcement with a night of food, fun and games during its 5th annual National Night Out.

The family-friendly event is free and will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5 in Lake Arthur Park.

“This is our fifth year participating in this event,” event coordinator Monica Schexnider said. “We were very impressed with the turnout for the last four events and are looking forward to a bigger and better National Night Out 2021.”

The event will feature children’s games and activities, face painting, bounce houses and food and drinks. The public can also have fun taking turns dunking local law enforcement officers in the dunking booth.

“Bring the kids out for fun and have supper with us while you’re here,” Schexnider said.”We will have hot dogs, pizza, bounce houses and other games and activities for kids of all ages including a ‘Dunk-A-Cop’ dunking booth, and it’s all free of charge.”

The local event is part of the annual National Night Out program, a nationwide event aimed at bringing the community and first-responders together to build stronger relationships, promote safety and prevent crime.

“We look forward to this event all year long and are very happy to be able to give back to the community in this way,” Police Chief Kobi Turner said. “Normally my officers and I are having to work for town events, but this gives us a chance to interact with the public in a more relaxed, fun environment.”

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Lake Arthur Police Department will involve over 16,728 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 38.3 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know communities are organized and fighting back.