Neighbors, families and local emergency personnel will gather Tuesday for Philomath’s annual National Night Out celebration, a tradition that’s grown considerably since it launched in a grocery store parking lot two decades ago.
The event runs from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Philomath City Park. It aims to strengthen community bonds while promoting public safety awareness through displays and activities involving local police, fire, county and community organizations.
“I think just building good community partnerships and trying to improve those relationships and giving some of the members of the community an opportunity … in a kind of low-key situation to ask questions and just get to know some of the officers that are working in the community,” Philomath Police Chief Dave Gurski said when asked what his department hopes to accomplish with the event.
Gurski said National Night Out fits alongside other department outreach efforts, such as the bike rodeo and Safety Town at local schools, the Public Safety Chili Cookoff in the fall and the chamber’s Trunk or Treat during Halloween season.
“In the last few years, we’ve hired some new folks, and I think one of the nice things about living in a small community is I think they get to know the officers that are working here,” Gurski said. “We get a lot of really good feedback and a lot of good interactions with the community.”
Gurski said traffic safety will be a central message at this year’s event, tying into the department’s work with the Benton County Regional Traffic Team.
“We’ve been really kind of ramping efforts up on not only DUII enforcement and traffic … but also as far as the education and outreach as well, trying to push stuff out there on social media, letting people know … to be safe and plan ahead and utilize ride shares or things like that,” Gurski said.
Gurski said events like National Night Out give the department a chance to show families that officers are approachable.
“We’re obviously out there looking to foster those partnerships, and not only that, but show parents and children that we can be trusted and approachable, and encourage their kids or anybody in the community that’s got any sort of issue — whenever they need help, they can always look to the Philomath Police Department,” he said.
This year’s event will include 18 participating agencies and organizations, according to Philomath Police Administrative Specialist Katie Miller, who has taken the lead on recruiting community partners.
“I think Katie’s done a really great job of reaching out to some of those community partners and trying to get them to attend National Night Out and also get to connect with the community as well,” Gurski said. “I think that is a direct reflection of some of the effort that she’s put into it this year.”
As of early this week, agencies and organizations planning to attend included: Philomath Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, Benton County CERT, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse, Pioneer Connect, Maxtivity, Strengthening Rural Families, Philomath Community Services, Philomath Fire and Rescue, What’s Up, Philomath, Heartland Humane Society, Oregon Army National Guard, First Student Bus Co., Republic Services, Philomath Public Works, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, As You Wish Publishing and Patrick Lumber Co.
Philomath Police will have its event passport activity, an idea Miller developed. Attendees can visit each booth for a stamp, then turn in a completed passport at the police booth for a prize.
Food will include the department’s now-signature pretzel bun sandwiches, along with two new additions this year — snow cones and popcorn.
“We ended up renting a machine from Special Occasions and then we ended up purchasing all of the supplies for that,” Gurski said, adding that he’ll be one of those from PPD who will be running the snow cone machine. Strengthening Rural Families will handle the popcorn, he said.
“Normally, it’s been chips, cookies, sandwiches and water,” Gurski said. “We’ll continue to do that” in addition to the new offerings.
The department will also have new giveaways this year, including stadium cups with lids and miniature Lego sets.
National Night Out occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August and has become a tradition across the country. The nationwide initiative encourages communities to interact with emergency personnel in a relaxed atmosphere while learning about local services and safety resources. Philomath held its first National Night Out event in the Thriftway parking lot on Aug. 1, 2006.
