We spoke to Hope Police Department Detective Jesus Coronado, who told us 

Detective Casey Singleton, from the Hope Police Department, could be found speaking to new arrivals. “We're just here trying to make awareness out for domestic violence and show everybody the avenues and things we have for victims,” he said.  HPD Lieutenant Jimmy Courtney called the evening “a good opportunity for people to come out and socialize with everybody throughout the whole community.”  He added that it was time for civilians and officers to “just meet, visit, share concerns, share positive stuff, try making the community better.”

HPD Lieutenant Jesus Coronado said about the National Night Out that “We get to communicate with the public and just meet people we've never met. I mean, it's always a good time. I'm here every year supporting, you know, and it's just a great time. Kids can swim, free food. Sometimes there's bouncy houses. There's none this year, but it's always a good time. I love being out here and interacting with people.”

Corporal Justin Dean of HPD, who is also Resource Officer at Hope High said, the occasion is “just another way to get kids to come to the police instead of run away from us. That's always my go to line.” He and Corporal Hunter Halladay will be starting the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program again at Hope Public Schools, but this time it will not only deal with avoidance of drugs, but also making better decisions. 

Halladay said the trend in challenges students present has moved toward the hiding of cell phones and vape devices.  

Deputy Justin Crane who serves with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office said of National Night Out that “It's a time for law enforcement, EMS, any of our first responders, and not just first responders, but people involved in the public school system, to come together as a community and have a good time.”  He was helping serve cotton candy as we spoke.

Hempstead County Office of Emergency Management/911 Coordinator Cathy Aaron brought her two grandchildren Briley Satterwhite and Hadley Morrow to their first National Night Out.  Aaron said of these evenings, “It's helping the kids to get familiarized with law enforcement, ambulance service. I'm doing emergency management and search and rescue, so I've brought some coloring books that teaches a kid what to do, and the parents what to do if they get lost, how to handle being lost in the woods or wherever you might be.” Aaron said she and her staff also give talks in classrooms to help children should they find themselves in that circumstance.

Therapist Emily Crane was at her table to share information about Experience Counselling Clinic. “We provide therapy services to children, adults, families. We do group therapy. We are currently in 19 school districts across the state, and we have an office here in Hope. We provide therapy from ages four to 99 years of age,” she said.  Their office is at 2015 South Main.

At a table set up by Pafford Medical Service, Gina Hudkins, Amanda Brucheisen and Aumora Smith gave parents and kids coming by their selection of bubble blowing kits in Pafford’s colors of orange and blue, stress balls, first-aid kits and jumping ropes and frisbees to promote exercise.  All agreed that the National Night Out was a chance to educate members of the community about what emergency services does.

Above photo:  Deputy Justin Crane helps serve cotton candy at National Night Out at Hope's Fair Park Tuesday evening.