Can you imagine riding in the back of a big, black, bulky SWAT vehicle?  Did you know there are no seat belts and no windows and that it is stuffy back there?  There are no seats, just benches along the walls, leaving room for gear in the center or to stand up.

If you drive, I imagine you know the capabilities of your car, what it takes to get stopped and the turning radius of your car.  If you drive a semi, you know it takes longer to stop when you have a load than when you don’t.  And a semi has to swing wide when it turns.  The SWAT vehicle is like that, due to the weight of the materials used to make it bullet proof.  It is not a comfortable ride, especially if you’re claustrophobic.

But as I rode in that SWAT vehicle, I imagined what it might be like as a police officer, lumbering out to a call.  This vehicle is not made for speed.  No threat to Kasey Kahne here.

And that is the purpose of National Night Out. To meet those police and fire personnel who put their lives on the line for us.  To see the equipment your Bonney Lake Police Department and East Pierce Fire and Rescue personnel use to keep us safe, and keep them safe.

National Night Out is an opportunity to climb on, run around, sit in and honk horns on the many types of trucks and vehicles used in this City.  There will be an appearance by the Airlift NW helicopter.  The Washington State Patrol bomb disposal unit will be on hand.

Come on out and take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with your police chief and officers, firefighters, council members and various city leaders and workers.  Be there at 6:30 to watch the caravan of vehicles arrive at Allan Yorke to kick off the festivities, lights on and sirens blaring.

And there will be fun things for the kids.  I think this will be the first year there will be a movie at dusk (weather permitting) called Escape from Planet Earth.  Face painting by the Bonney Lake High School cheerleaders, Clown Buggie clowns and craft projects by Lowes and Home Depot.  There is truly something for everyone.  McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog, gift bags provided by Target, who in the past have sponsored Shop with a Cop during the holiday season.

Bring your picnic dinner and learn about crime and drug prevention awareness.  Meet your neighbors.  Develop partnerships with your first responders. This is like an old fashioned block party.  And when you see Community Services Officer Yanez, shake her hand and tell her she has once again done a great job organizing this annual event. If you need any additional information about crime prevent, she is the one to call at 253-863-2218 extension 3247.

As I have written in previous columns, I have cruised on the Marine Services Unit boat, my husband and I have taken Citizen’s Academy and participated in quite a few National Nights Out events.  I have ridden in the SWAT vehicle, gone on a couple of ride alongs and even rode in the caravan in the prisoner transport vehicle a time or two.

Did you know that there are no handles to open on the inside of the enclosed part of the prisoner transport vehicle? I am talking about the part behind the screen/glass between the driver and the prisoners. Did I tell you about the time I was left locked in the back of the prisoner transport vehicle? Ah, but that is a story for another day.

Go to National Night Out.  You will have fun and learn at the same time.

National Night Out is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Allan Yorke Park