The Clarkdale Police Department held a National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 1, in partnership with community emergency services at Clarkdale’s town park.
Clarkdale PD was joined by the Jerome Police Department, Jerome Fire Department, Yavapai-Apache Police Department, Yavapai College Campus Safety, Verde Valley Fire District, Verde Valley Search and Rescue, Verde Valley Ambulance and the State Gang Task Force.
National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes community enthusiasm for police forces on the first Tuesday every August; this year was its 40th anniversary.
The National Association of Town Watch, which was established in 1981 to provide resources to community watch groups, created National Night Out in 1984.
“It brings us both together,” said Lieutenant Joe Candelaria of the Clarkdale police. “[Community members] get to actually talk to us and we get to know them and show them our appreciation for all the support they gave us by cooking them food.”
The Jerome Fire Department gave a demonstration using ropes on one of the park’s trees, while community members volunteered to man the dunk tank.
“It gives us an opportunity to give back to the community, said Clarkdale Police Chief Randy Taylor. “It also gives an opportunity for the community to be able to visit with one another to know who their neighbors are … I think that NNO was started because by and large, police officers set a 6,000- pound barrier and you don’t see them unless something is going wrong.”
“Mutual aid is very important to all of our communities, especially in our smaller community where we have very limited personnel,” Jerome Fire Department Chief Rusty Blair said.
