(Riverton, WY) – National Night Out is an annual event that aims to “enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” while also providing a “great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
It officially began in 1984 following the efforts of a community watch volunteer named Matt Peskin in Philadelphia.
Since that time, National Night events have sprung up across the country, including here in Fremont County, where local law enforcement and responders got the chance to have some fun with the community at the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department fire hall Tuesday night.
Representatives from Lander/Riverton Police Departments, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, life flight services, Wyoming Highway Patrol, EMS and emergency responder crews, PAWS for Life Animal Shelter, various fire agencies, Wyoming Game and Fish, military branches, and more all came together to cook/serve some free food, play games like ring toss and cake walks with local kiddos, and ultimately connect with the community in a fun setting.
In addition to some of the activities mentioned above, High Plains Power and others gave demonstrations to attendees, folks had access to information resources, and RPD Officer Emily Maus took one for the team and tackled multiple plunges at the dunk tank, all while MC extraordinaire Rusty Harris kept everyone entertained on the mic.
County 10 spoke with RPD Chief Eric Hurtado, LPD Interim Chief Kelly Waugh, and Wyoming Game and Fish Game Warden Rob Shipe about what National Night Out means for making those community connections.
Chief Hurtado shared that he has been involved in National Night Out for 15 years now, this being his third local year, and explained that this was the biggest year for Fremont County.
“(We are getting) more and more participation with all the county agencies,” Chief Hurtado commented. “So this is the biggest agency turnout we’ve had so far.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Riverton Fire Department for allowing the event to take place at the fire hall, so as to not have to have the event happen at the fairgrounds while the fair was going on.
“…This is a good display of what the community has to offer,” Chief Hurtado added.
“I think it’s important for all the people to really see the police as people here with us instead of the enforcement action that they usually interact (with)” Captain Waugh told County 10 before adding that he is excited for the event to get even bigger next year.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to be out here with your community,” Game Warden Shipe shared. “The whole point of the event (is) to give kids a safe place… to be off the streets for at least one night. So it’s been great to interact with children of our community.”
The Game and Fish crew at the event brought along the “Poach Coach” for kids to have a fun photo opportunity, and to learn how poachers were dealt with “back in the early 1900s, before we had trucks and vehicles and all that good stuff,” Shipe explained.
