National Night Out a success

“Buddy cards” were given to children at Tuesday’s National Night Out event for them to obtain five signatures from local law enforcement, EMS, or fire department members, letting them know that any of them would be their “buddy” and be available to help if needed.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Buddy-cards.jpg“Buddy cards” were given to children at Tuesday’s National Night Out event for them to obtain five signatures from local law enforcement, EMS, or fire department members, letting them know that any of them would be their “buddy” and be available to help if needed. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

Children were excited to participate in the three-legged race at Tuesday’s National Night Out event.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_3-leggedrace1.jpgChildren were excited to participate in the three-legged race at Tuesday’s National Night Out event. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

A three-legged race, balloon toss, and ping pong ball drop were just some of the activities for families to participate in Tuesday.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_3-leggedrace2.jpgA three-legged race, balloon toss, and ping pong ball drop were just some of the activities for families to participate in Tuesday. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

AKA members stop for a photo with Interim Police Chief Roy McClurkin, middle. From the left are Alicia Griffin, Toriah Caldwell, Lisa Toland and Glendora Pratt Williams. AKA members helped with the balloon toss Tuesday night.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_AKA-balloon-toss.jpgAKA members stop for a photo with Interim Police Chief Roy McClurkin, middle. From the left are Alicia Griffin, Toriah Caldwell, Lisa Toland and Glendora Pratt Williams. AKA members helped with the balloon toss Tuesday night. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

Booths from local law enforcement, EMS, fire department and more could be found at the Smith Road Complex Tuesday night for the annual National Night Out event.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_booths.jpgBooths from local law enforcement, EMS, fire department and more could be found at the Smith Road Complex Tuesday night for the annual National Night Out event. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

First Baptist Church kept the crowd cool from the heat by offering free sno-cones.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_First-Baptist-Church-snowcones.jpgFirst Baptist Church kept the crowd cool from the heat by offering free sno-cones. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

Local officials gave their best shot at a three-legged race after giving the children a chance to compete.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_3-leggedraceofficials.jpgLocal officials gave their best shot at a three-legged race after giving the children a chance to compete. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

An inflatable slide entertained children at National Night Out.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_inflatables.jpgAn inflatable slide entertained children at National Night Out. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

City police officer Jake Huffstetler brought the department’s K-9 Percy out for the event.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Percy.jpgCity police officer Jake Huffstetler brought the department’s K-9 Percy out for the event. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

Mayor Foster Senn welcomed the community to the National Night Out event.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Mayor-welcome.jpgMayor Foster Senn welcomed the community to the National Night Out event. Elyssa Parnell | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — The community gave a tremendous show of support to Tuesday’s National Night Out event at the Smith Road Complex in Newberry.

“It was especially rewarding to have so many kids take part in the event,” said Interim Police Chief Roy McClurkin.

The Newberry Police Department hosted the event.

National Night Out is a nationwide evening for neighborhoods across the country to get out and “give crime a going away party” through community awareness and involvement. The event was originally organized by the National Association of Town Watch. It is held the second Tuesday in August nationwide.

Free pizza and drinks were provided to those in attendance. The night also featured a variety of field games between children and local officials plus inflatables.

New this year were “Buddy Cards,” which children used to gather five signatures from first responders, law enforcement, National Guard members and other officials, McClurkin said.

“That was a great success,” McClurkin said. “I’m glad we used it and we will continue to use it.”

McClurkin thanked everyone who participated and for their help and support.

“This proves that we have a great partnership with the community that will only enhance our efforts to make Newberry a safer community,” he said.