National Night Out brings community, responders together

CLOVIS — Local law enforcement and members of the community came together on Saturday afternoon at Greene Acres Park for this year's National Night Out event.

Members of the Clovis Police and Fire Departments and other local agencies were on hand to talk with citizens and show off some of the equipment they use every day.

"It's always good to have the community come out and have a chance to walk around, take a look at everything, and meet officers and firemen and the people that help them out on a day-to-day basis," Police Chief Doug Ford said.

"The K-9s was definitely a cool demonstration," Chris Elam said.

Another popular attraction, especially for the kids at the event, was the Clovis PD SWAT truck.

Faces lit up as kid after kid tried on the police vests and held the guns, without ammo of course, that law enforcement uses.

"The kids are always really into what we've got going on. (It's) very interesting for them, and it's good that they see us and realize that we are a good entity, we're here for them not to be scared of us, (so they learn) not to be scared to ask for our help," Sgt. James Gurule said.

National Night Out was also joined by the Curry County Wellness Council's Annual Fall Health Fair, which had a number of booths with representatives from Healthy Haven Counseling, United Way and Compassus, among other organizations, providing information and handouts to the community.

Kim Mintz and Sharon Slater attend the event every year and appreciate the opportunity to interact with first responders.

"We love it, we come every year," Mintz said. "We come out to support the local law enforcement and the fire department."

"They've been around many a time to be with us at times we've needed them and they're here to protect and serve our city and we need to give them credit where credit is due," Slater said. "They go through a lot and I don't think our citizens really realize what they do for us."