The East Lansing Public Library was buzzing with children, activities and public officials Tuesday evening, as the East Lansing Police Department, or ELPD, Fire Department and library teamed up to host the annual National Night Out and Touch-A-Truck joint event. The event featured police and fire trucks, as well as ELPD K9 dogs, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Division horses and a CATA bus and trolley.
“This is the first time we’ve hosted it at the library,” East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas said. “I think having it at the library, where they’re mission is to educate, is a good fit (for the event). National Night Out is a chance for kids to get together with community members, get to know the police officers and build relationships to make a safer community.”
National Night Out is a nation-wide event used as an effective and enjoyable way to promote police and community relationships. The event is similar to Touch-A-Truck, so this year the events were combined, said ELPD Capt. Jeff Murphy.
Murphy said they have been participating in National Night Out for about fifteen years.
“We like to get out in the community and have kids meet the police officers,” Murphy said. “It’s just a way to get the police officers out in the area in a relaxed and positive environment, then hopefully that has some crime prevention in the future.”
Children were able to enjoy a bounce-house, dunk tank and ask firefighters, law enforcement and deputies questions as families made their way around the library.
East Lansing Fire Department Lt. Andy Swanson said he just enjoys being able to talk to the kids and showing them the fire truck.
“I like seeing the kids’ faces and being able to do so on a positive note,” Swanson said.
Scott Waldron, who works with the Ingham County Sherriff’s Office Mounted Division, had a horse available for kids to pet and look at. Waldron typically comes to East Lansing on football game days and other big events with his horse.
“It’s good for the community,” Waldron said. “It gives the people a good idea of what goes on in town.”
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