5th Annual “National Night Out Against Crime”

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen from the 28th Security Forces Squadron and 28th Medical Group joined residents and local law enforcement agencies from Box Elder and Rapid City for the 5th annual National Night Out Against Crime, in Box Elder, S.D. Aug. 5.

National Night Out, hosted by the Box Elder Police Department, was held at the Box Elder City Hall and Event Center to enhance public safety, heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Chris Misselt, Box Elder Police Department lieutenant, has been an active participant in National Night Out for the last five years.

"The goal of National Night Out is to make our law enforcement agencies and public safety partners readily available to the public and interact with them," said Misselt. "We can also educate them on our capabilities and services we offer and answer any questions they might have."

The events of the evening included free food and drinks, a K-9 demonstration, educational items for children, and a vehicle and weapons exhibit.

More than 30 million citizens in 15,000 communities in the United States and Canada participate in National Night Out each year.

"This event is all about making everybody accessible to each other in a friendly non-emergency environment to talk about what we can do for the community and what they would like from us," said Misselt.

He said the Box Elder Police Department has a great working relationship with the Airmen on the 28th SFS.

"It's great to meet with members of the local community, these are the people we swear to defend every day when we put on the uniform," said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Bundy, 28th SFS defender. "Events like this allow us to strengthen our relationships not only with the local community but with our local law enforcement partners."

Misselt explained how the event was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with the public.

"The number one thing I want people to take away is to feel comfortable reaching out to the emergency responders and the human services people, interacting with them and knowing that we're human beings who are accessible to them and ... truly here to provide services to them and be public servants," added Misselt.