Enquirer Journal - August 5, 2010

Crowds attended various National Night Out events throughout the county.

Residents and public safety officials said they enjoyed the event because of the way it brought them together.

Members of the Monroe Police and Fire departments, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County EMS and many others participated.

“I got to tell you, Union County’s got it going on,” Linda Kappaut, the director of South Piedmont Community College’s Human Resources Development Program, said.

She referred to the different activities planned throughout the county.

She attended the Sutton Park Community National Night Out at the Sutton Park recreation center in Monroe. While there, she handed out information about free classes for the unemployed that the college is offering.

Besides being a community gathering event, National Night Out was a way for public safety officials and community members to mingle.

“Mainly, the biggest thing I want them to get is that the police department are their friends,” Ron Cureton, the Sutton Park community president, said.

In Monroe, the majority of the police department participated in activities throughout the city.

Everyone in the department except for those working third shift will attend the night’s events, Police Chief Debra Duncan said.

“I’m looking forward to getting in the community and thanking them for what they do,” Monroe Mayor Bobby Kilgore said.

He wanted to thank members of the community for the support they give to the city as well as the city’s police and fire departments.

U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell, D-NC, and a representative from Gov. Bev Perdue’s office travelled with city council members to some of the city’s National Night Out activities.

“Monroe’s very important to us, they have a great history of National Night Out,” Kissell said.

Both adults and children said they enjoyed the National Night Out activities they attended.

“I liked the fire truck and the ambulance,” said Colton Strock, 6, who attended a Wesley Chapel National Night Out event with his mom and brother.

Abigail Bowers, 9, said she liked the activities as well as seeing the various emergency vehicles. She also attended the Wesley Chapel event.

“I like that I got to see the fire truck and make cards to thank the police and fire department,” she said.

Many adults said they liked how it brought communities together.

“I enjoy the community getting to know each other better,” Julius Marsh, who attended the Old Rolling Hills National Night Out event, said. “We try to look out for one another.”

Some public safety officials said they liked how the community got to see them outside of emergency situations.

The children that come out are not as scared when they see an ambulance or a fire truck up close, Sarah Beyer an EMT with Union County EMS said.

She and Paramedic Kristy Cole, who is also with Union County EMS, showed off an ambulance at a Wesley Chapel National Night Out event.

“I think it’s nice because neighbors get to meet each other,” she said.