Valparaiso Police Department deepens connection with community members at annual National Night Out event

On August 5, the Valparaiso Police Department (VPD) hosted its annual National Night Out event. This event is geared to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement officers and civilians across the nation. The National Night Out has been a tradition in Valparaiso for decades and is always a favorite among Valparaiso’s residents and police department members alike. While some cities might choose to adopt a fair-like format for their National Night Out, VPD takes another approach. The department members drive from neighborhood to neighborhood, handing out gifts and spending quality time with Valparaiso residents.

VPD Chief Andrew McIntyre has participated in the National Night Out for all 16 years of his tenure with the department and looks forward to the event each year.

“Community engagement is extremely important to us,” McIntyre said. “We have an outstanding community that supports us and we would be nowhere near as successful as we are if we didn’t have that support. Our officers look forward to this night every year, and it’s humbling to see how many neighborhoods sign up every year for this event. We want to visit with as many people as possible for as long as we can and put smiles on faces.”

This year, over 50 VPD support staff members and patrol and investigations personnel divided into two groups and visited 10 neighborhoods throughout Valparaiso including Autumn Trail, Oak Grove, Hawthorne East, Audubon, Keystone Commons, Beauty Creek Villas and Pine Creek. They handed out children’ s coloring books, lollipops, VPD police badge stickers, and VPD-branded keychains, lanyards, stress balls, and pens. VPD members received warm welcomes at each location and chatted amiably with the residents as they enjoyed good food and the pleasure of one another’s company.

“This National Night Out format is effective,” McIntyre said. “It enables us to go out into the neighborhoods and learn firsthand what’s going on in that particular area of the community. We can hear about any issues that our residents would like to be addressed and hear positive feedback from them as well. The kids love it when we show up with our lights and sirens activated. Our approach to the National Night Out sets our department apart because we go out into the community and make it as exciting as we can for everyone.”

While visiting Keystone, the VPD department members enjoyed ice cream from Pat’s Ice Cream Parlor. Several officers let young attendees check out their squad cars and were all too happy to answer the ensuing flurry of questions.

At Meridian Woods, VPD members enjoyed a delicious meal that included pulled pork, Italian beef, pita bread, deviled eggs, mac ‘n’ cheese, and finger foods, all provided by the community itself. The residents supplied a dessert spread that featured cookies, cake, donut holes, and a fruit salad.

VPD members enjoyed ice cream and refreshments at Beauty Creek Villas while they talked with residents. Two inflatable bounce houses and a cornhole game had been set up for the young attendees to enjoy. VPD members then stopped by the Courtyards of Pepper Creek for more ice cream and fellowship before heading to Jessee-Pifer Park to enjoy some s’mores alongside local residents.

“The overwhelmingly positive support that we receive from the community helps set our agency apart,” McIntyre said. “Often, officers will apply here because of the community policing opportunities we provide. We offer many different community outreach programs, including Shop-With-a-Cop, Coffee-With-a-Cop, our Citizens’ Police Academy, our Junior Police Academy, and the National Night Out. Putting these events on is so important to us. Knowing that we are making people smile by giving back means a lot.”

To stay up-to-date on City of Valparaiso’s announcements and upcoming events, please visit ci.valparaiso.in.us.