Bounce houses, pizza, face painting and McGruff the Crime Dog will be part of National Night Out in Lafayette, a night full of activities for kids and families to enjoy.
The nationwide event encourages residents to lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and support the occasion designed to strengthen the relationship between officers and the community.
It’s the first time since 2019 that the Lafayette Police Department has hosted a national night. The activities will take place on Tuesday from 6 to 7.30 pm in Girard Park. The Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette City Marshal’s Office and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office are hosting the event.
“National Night Out is about bringing the community and the police together as one because it’s true that fighting crime is not the Lafayette Police Department,” said department spokesman Sgt. said Robin Green. “We can’t do it without the people in the community.”
“It’s going to be like a little block party,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity because it allows us to have that personal connection with people.”
The National Night Out celebration in Girard Park also serves as neutral ground for residents who want to voice their concerns but are hesitant to do so during the departments’ community walks.
Typically, during National Night Out, neighborhoods host their own block parties and invite law enforcement. But since it was two years ago, Green said the department decided to hold a big celebration in a central location.
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The police department’s mounted horse unit, motorcycle officers and SWAT Bearcat will be on site for kids to learn more about. A police department recruiter will also be on site for anyone interested in learning about job openings.
The sheriff’s dive team will be giving demonstrations. The Lafayette Fire Department will have a fire truck and a smoker where fog simulates smoke. Firefighters will teach participants how smoke detectors work and how to escape a fire.
Other organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Parish Proud and Goodwill, Inc. will be there. An Oschner Health trauma and safety nurse will hand out gun locks.
Brandon Journet aka DJ Digital will be spinning tunes. There will be a raffle with door prizes from vendors such as Academy Sports and Starbucks.
Green hopes next year neighborhoods will recreate Tuesday’s event and law enforcement will come to them for a more traditional celebration.
