Local NNO event set for next Tuesday

On Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Breckenridge Police Department, along with the city of Breckenridge, will host a National Night Out event. The NNO Block Party will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, located at 210 E. Dyer Street, in Breckenridge.

Breckenridge City Manager Erika McComis said the purpose of the event is for the children in the community to get to know and build trust with the first responders.

“I like for a police department to be community-oriented, to do stuff out in the community, for everyone to get to know them, (so) when they see their face, they’re comfortable with them. So if something happens, it’s not a stranger, it’s someone that they can really feel comfortable talking to,” McComis said.

National Night Out is an annual, national event, held on the first Tuesday in August, that focuses on growing the partnership between law enforcement and the community in the fight against crime. Due to the summer heat, Texas celebrates NNO in October instead.

Admission to the event is free. BPD, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Breckenridge Fire Department and other entities will provide free food, drinks, activities and more, including a Child ID/Fingerprinting. Equipment demonstrations will also be a part of the event, with the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter expected to land around 7 p.m.

Along with BPD, SCSO and BFD, other entities participating in the local event include 911 Call Center/Animal Center; Air Evac Lifeteam; Stephens Memorial Hospital District; American Medical Response EMS; Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Doctor Goodall’s House–CAC/CASA; Betty Hardwick Center; Stephens County Adult and Juvenile Probation; West Central Texas Council of Governments; Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; Texas State Technical College; local civic and business organizations; city, county and district court officers; and more.

“Please bring family and friends and use this event to help our community,” BPD Captain Jay Walker stated in a press release. “Show the bad guys that the good guys are fighting back.”

BPD asks that those participating in the event set up their displays between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at the LEC, with the 200-block of E. Dyer Street and the front parking lot of the LEC blocked off to provide space to set up displays. While space is provided, the release reminds vendors, the tables, chairs, tents, anchors, supplies, etc. for displays are the responsibility of their organization.

“To be courteous to other participants, please keep the size of your display area in mind; one or two tables/booths/tents is normal,” the release states. “This event attracts a large public attendance, so please keep all non-service animals at home or secured on a leash.”

Groups are encouraged to bring uniforms, specialty clothing, marked vehicles or specialty equipment, as well as historical items and tools of their trade that are safe and interesting to see and touch. Bringing membership and career information is also encouraged.