Night Against Crime brings Airmen and local community together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Hurley
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen joined residents and local law enforcement agencies from Box Elder and Rapid City for National Night Out, a night against crime, at Villa in Box Elder, Aug. 3.

"Because this is Box Elder's first year participating in National Night Out, we decided to have the event at Villa to be in a central location and to be close to the Police Department and city officials," said Box Elder Police Chief Tim Ryan.

The events of the evening included free food and drinks, tables set up by civilian sponsors and police officers stocked with free fun and educational items for children- such as sidewalk chalk, beach balls, and 911 cards, a Jaws of Life demonstration, a taser exhibition, K-9 demonstrations by Rapid City and Ellsworth's K-9 units, search and rescue displays and military tank and weapons exhibits.

"It is very important to know that as public safety officials we are here to serve the community," said Chief Ryan. "Our community is very important to us and NNO provides a mechanism for communication and networking between the public safety officials, business community, and residents."

Capt. Steven Ohlmeyer, 28th Security Forces commander, agrees with this view.

"The objectives for NNO are to bring people together and educate them on the many services we have for the community," said Captain Ohlmeyer.

The night was educational not only for the people of the community, but also for the captain and chief.

"I have never worked with Security Forces in my past roles as police chief simply because there were no nearby bases where I was previously located," said Chief Ryan.

The experience of working together is one that Captain Ohlmeyer said he would like to repeat.

"This is the first of many joint events for the men and women of the 28 SFS and our local community," said Captain Ohlmeyer.

Chief Ryan agreed that working together for events such as NNO is vital.

"Let's face it," said Chief Ryan. "There will always be crime but how we react to try to prevent the crime from happening again is the key and that is where an event like National Night Out helps."