It’s time to get out and meet your first responders.

This Tuesday, Aug. 6, is National Night Out, an event that happens all across the country to promote community building and especially fostering relationships between first responders and private citizens in non-emergency settings.

The city of Buckley is hosting its event on the Buckley Youth Activity Center lawn from 6 to 8 p.m.

“National Night Out is an opportunity for our community to connect with the Buckley Police Department in a fun and friendly setting,” said Officer Melissa Phillips with the Buckley PD. “Most of the time, our interactions happen during stressful situations or emergencies. NNO gives us the chance to engage with our community in a relaxed environment, demonstrating our commitment to safety and building trust. It’s all about fostering relationships and ensuring our community members feel connected and safe.”

This year’s event features a free community barbecue, first responder vehicles that youth can explore, a Buckley Fire Department “splash zone” with a firehose, various youth activities, and more.

Participating in NNO and other community events helps personnel build lasting relationships,” said city Parks and Rec Director Erin Snodgrass. “In our small community, it’s common for officers and firefighters to meet families at NNO and later greet each other warmly in the neighborhood, fostering a friendly and approachable atmosphere.”

CAN’T GO? HOST YOUR OWN

If you can’t attend the Buckley NNO event, local Linking Civility – Compassion – Kindness (LINCCK) member Trip Hart encourages you to host your own Neighbors Night Out on the same day.

“When analyzing our political climate, some might say our world is quite polarized. This is a way to undo that polarization. Enhance neighborhood spirit and create a more compassionate community,” Hart said. “… Simply put, our community will be healthier if we know who lives beside us, if a friendly smile can be shared more often, if a helping hand can be offered more readily.”