A night of building community with Medford Police
During the Police Department's annual National Night Out event, Medford residents have a chance to meet officers in person and connect with other people and organizations in the community.
By Crystal Yormick
Hundreds of Medford residents flocked to Hormel Stadium Tuesday, Aug. 4, for the Police Department's annual National Night Out, a country-wide campaign focused on relationship building between the communities and police officers.
The event lasted about three hours in the August heat and featured K-9 demonstrations, live performances, face painting, games and free food from local vendors. Around 25 organizations – from the Tufts University Police Department to Electrify Medford to the St. Raphael Parish School – set up tents where attendees could learn about them and ask questions.
Police officers and firefighters strolled around the field in uniforms while kids practiced their basketball shots and football passes. A helicopter flew overhead with its blade whirring. Kids laughed as they ran around and went to the various stations.
“Officer Frankie coming through,” a police officer yelled while trailing behind a child wearing a police vest and weaving through the crowd.
Events with the same title take place in communities across the country every year on the first Tuesday in August. NNO’s mission is focused on creating relationships between communities and law enforcement in positive ways. Texas and some other select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday of October instead of the first Tuesday in August.
“It’s putting a face to the people,” said resident John Howard. “We see them out in the community after.”
The event gives residents an opportunity to meet officers in a “relaxed, welcoming setting,” according to the Medford Police website.
“It’s about building relationships, fostering open communication, and celebrating what makes our city strong — the people who call it home,” the website reads.
Medford Fire Captain Peter Treacy said the event has grown over the years and increased the department’s interactions with the public. It has allowed them to do some community education for fire safety and spread awareness about the upcoming fire exam so people can register
He said the event is a “great way to get out there and actually interact with the public one-on-one.”
Chris Murphy, who is the assistant coach for Medford High School football, was working at a table to promote the Mustangs. He said NNO is most likely the best attended of the city’s events, and by promoting the team there, he hopes to generate support from around the city.
“The more fans we can get the better,” Murphy said.
Monica Ulysse, who is a co-founder of Rise Multicultural Services, said she appreciates opportunities where neighbors can interact with each other and form connections. The nonprofit typically has an influx in traffic after events like NNO, she said.
One lifelong Medford resident, Lisa McAveeney, said she missed having the dunk tank at the event this year. She and Emily Colley, also a lifelong Medford resident, said the event was nice but smaller this year in terms of tents and attendees. On a positive note, the message for NNO takes away the “whole stigma” around police officers, McAveeney said.
Kathy Bedard, a resident who performed with Mystic Players Revival, said it’s nice that the event brings the community out, and she hopes people enjoy watching the theater performances.
Attendees and people working at tables said they plan to return next year and they hope NNO continues growing.
“Anything that gets this many people together is a great thing,” McAveeney said. “People should participate more.”
