Residents celebrate National Night Out
Published 12:26 am Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Hundreds of residents joined members of the Bonney Lake Police Department and East Pierce Fire and Rescue to participate in the National Night Out Aug. 4.
Police, firefighters and medics passed out stickers and other items to children at Ken Simmons and Cedarview parks as part of the nationwide event. Firefighters presented children with plastic fireman helmets and police officers handed out badge stickers to people.
Mayor Neil Johnson, City Administrator Don Morrison, Police Chief Mike Mitchell and several members of the City Council also participated in the event.
A dozen Target employees attended both events and handed out beach balls with the store logo. Target is a national sponsor of National Night Out.
At Ken Simmons Park, the first stop for police and fire department personnel, people attending the event were welcomed with root beer floats provided by volunteers.
“This is a good turnout,” Mitchell said. “We are planning to rotate the event at different parts of the city each year.”
Clown Buggie made an appearance at the parks. Glitterbug and her assistant made balloon hats, animals and other items for children.
Children – and adults – got a closer look at the fire engines from East Pierce, the Metro SWAT vehicle, police cars and a police motorcycle. Police and fire personnel were on hand to explain the functions of the various types of vehicles on display.
After 80 minutes at Ken Simmons Park, the caravan traveled to Cedarview Park for the second half of the event.
When they arrived, they found Cedarview Park lined with several tents and the Bonney Lake High School cheerleaders set up at a face-painting table.
People attending the celebration were treated to hot dogs, chips and refreshements. There were also games, an inflatable water slide and a bubble pond.
Mascots McGruff the Crime Dog and Spark, the fire dog, also made appearances at both parks.
This was the 26th year for the crime and drug prevention event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
The campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.
In 2008, more than 37 million people participated in National Night Out.
