The 10^th Annual National Night Out is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Bridgeport City Pool. Hosted by Bridgeport Police Department and the City of Bridgeport, the event will feature live music, free swimming and lots of free food and novelties. Featured front and center – and the main reason behind the event - will be representatives of Bridgeport Police, Fire and Emergency Services, introducing the public, especially the kids, to their operations.

 

“We’ll have canine demos again, by our police department and the FBI,” said Deputy Police Chief Randy Hartley. “The fire department will send a couple of apparatus down and we’ll have our motorcycles, side-by-sides and other specialty vehicles.”

 

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will also be represented, as well as various volunteer organizations – such as VIPS and CERT – which fall under EMS jurisdiction.

National Night Out events are held across the country as a way to familiarize children to members of law enforcement and first responders so they will be comfortable reaching out to them if needed. In light of recent acts of violence against police departments happening across the country, some National Night Out events may hold heightened interest and importance this year, but that isn’t really the case here in our city.

 

“The thing that makes Bridgeport different than most cities is because we are supported all year,” Hartley said. “Just this past week, we’ve had people bring in food and drinks, send cards and doing things just because they appreciate what we do for the city.”

 

On-site vendors offering their signature items for free will be McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A.

As always, the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport will take part in the event. Also participating and/or supporting the event financially will be United Security Agency, Utz Potato Chips, Bridgeport Annuity Exchange, Della’s Deli, Coca Cola, BioLife, Target, Home Depot, Job Squad, Fellowship Bible Church, GFWC Bridgeport Woman’s Club of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Lions Club.

 

“We also have the WVU Mountaineer Mascot coming, a magician and there will be face painting,” said Kim Reed, administrative assistant for Bridgeport Police Department.

 

Live music will be provided by Lauren Starkey, Christian Mazza with special guests Marissa Bailey and Kai Kalalau. Attendees can enjoy the tunes poolside or while browsing vendor tents. Random drawings will be held for a number of nice prizes, such as TVs, video game systems and passes to Bridgeport Pool and Bridgeport High School sporting events.

 

In years past, well over 1,000 individuals have attended Bridgeport’s National Night Out, always successful because of the many people, groups and businesses who pull together to make it a top-notch event, Hartley said.

 

“Various city departments, including parks and recreation, go out of their way to help pull this all off,” he said.

 

It is a huge night for the police department,” Hartley said.

 

 It’s a chance to meet and greet the residents in the city we serve,” he said. “Bridgeport shows us they appreciate us – and we like to show the citizens of Bridgeport that we appreciate them too. We hope everyone comes out and has a fun evening.”

 

Reed, who has been obtaining sponsors and securing vendors for the event, said she believes this year will feature a very nice line-up of activities.

 

“We’re just hoping for good weather,” she said. “If so, it should be great.”