The Cape Coral Police Department will once again take part in a nationwide initiative to grow stronger bonds between its officers and the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Oct. 11, CCPD will host its third-annual \u201cNational Night Out\u201d which, according to organizers, is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNational Night Out is all about getting cops and neighbors together in a friendly way, so everyone feels safer, more connected, and ready to look out for each other,\u201d said CCPD Public Affairs Officer Mercedes Simonds. \u201cYou may have also noticed that it is earlier in the day this year. We got a lot of feedback from previous years and an earlier time better meets the needs and requests of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s event actually will take place during the day on Saturday,<\/p>\n
The event takes place at Cultural Park from 10 a.m. to noon, where resident can meet CCPD officers and enjoy games, music, raffles, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExpect fun block parties, games, good food, safety tips, and a chance to chat with officers without any emergencies involved-just good vibes,\u201d Simonds said. \u201cYour child may also see their school resource officer there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Night Out campaign started in 1984 with a suburban police officer in Philadelphia. The event has grown over the years, as officials with the campaign state millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.<\/p>\n
As for how important is it for CCPD to have a strong, positive relationship with the community, Simonds said, \u201cIt\u2019s super important-when police and residents trust each other, neighborhoods get safer and everyone\u2019s happier working together to solve problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this day and age, Simonds said events like this are a chance for residents to get to meet and see local officers face-to-face, and maybe get to know the person behind the uniform.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge positive,\u201d she said. \u201cMeeting officers face-to-face makes it easier to build trust, talk openly, and remember that there\u2019s a real person behind the badge. Especially when it comes to families with children in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event is open to the public and free to attend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information on National Night Out, visit\u00a0www.natw.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cultural Park is at 528 Cultural Park Blvd.<\/p>\n