Great weather and dozens of hands-on, interactive demonstrations drew one of the best crowds the annual event has seen in years. Several different booths and exhibits lined the perimeter of the Wheeling Park Ice Rink for opportunities to learn more about law enforcement agencies, first responders and other organizations that help the community.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. It is geared toward enhancing relationships between residents and law enforcement agencies to help make neighborhoods safe.

“We have local, county, state and even federal partners in attendance here,” said Philip Stahl, public information officer for the Wheeling Police and Fire departments, who helped organize the event. “We have several of our divisions from the police department represented, and we invite about two dozen other agencies — law enforcement and agencies that work closely with law enforcement as well.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio County Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s offices, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and several social service agencies were represented. The Wheeling police also host a number of demonstrations and exhibits with a police drone, cruisers, motorcycles and Trikkes, the SWAT team, K-9 units and more.

photo by: Eric Ayres

Arya Mathis, 9, of Wheeling checks out a Wheeling Police UTV – one of the many pieces of equipment on display Tuesday night at the Wheeling Park Skate Rink during National Night Out.

Now in its 42nd year nationally, the annual event is held on the first Tuesday in August in communities across the country.

“I’m really happy with the crowd this year,” said Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger. “The last few years, attendance has been down a little bit — maybe because of the heat at that time. But this is a very nice crowd. It’s an opportunity for them in a relaxed atmosphere to mingle with law enforcement officers and other first responders and get some valuable information.”

Schwertfeger said the Wheeling police staff looks forward to the event every year and considers it a great opportunity to come out and enjoy a couple of hours meeting with members of the community they serve.

“It’s very kid-friendly, which is what we’re hoping for — we want those young people to not only trust and know that they can count on us, but we’re also recruiting teenagers to look at our Police Explorer Program,” Schwertfeger said. “It’s just a win-win.”

Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft noted that National Night Out is a great example of the collaborative effort these partnering organizations share.

photo by: Eric Ayres

Beckham Heller, 3, of Wheeling, is ready for action manning a tactical shield from the Ohio County Sheriff's Office.

“My biggest goal in this is to show our cooperation with the various police agencies,” Croft said. “We, of course, have the Wheeling police — our brothers and sisters here in town. But we also have the West Virginia State Police, the prosecuting attorney’s office, the ATF … it just shows a united front and that we’re here for the people.”

Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Turak said the demonstrations and exhibits offered by the participating agencies at the event are truly eye-opening.

“From my perspective, I think it’s great to show the community what we’re about and how we continue to serve them every day — 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Turak said. “I think it’s wonderful for building community relations, because that in the end is who we serve — we’re public servants.”

Pizza, popsicles, snacks and drinks were provided to those on hand. People of all ages came out to Wheeling’s National Night Out event. Some come every year, while others stopped by for the very first time Tuesday.

Brandi Hinebaugh of Wheeling, along with youngsters Beau and Ellie, were out at the park on a beautiful Tuesday evening when they saw all of the commotion at the ice rink and decided to come check it out.

photo by: Eric Ayres

Layken Robbins, 7, of Wheeling, imagines a future as a firefighter Tuesday at Wheeling Park during the annual National Night Out.

“I loved it,” Hinebaugh said, noting that the children especially enjoyed seeing the array of police gear and vehicles. “We were just at the playground and heard the sirens, so we came down. The kids had a blast.”

A good crowd checks out the many displays and interactive demonstrations Tuesday night at Wheeling Park during the annual National Night Out.

People of all ages check out the demonstrations and displays offered by local law enforcement agencies and partner organizations Tuesday night at Wheeling Park during the annual National Night Out.

Cpl. John McKenzie demonstrates the strength and obedience of K-9 Jericho during a demonstration at Wheeling Park Tuesday night during the annual National Night Out.

Pfc. Brandon Stanley wears a protective bite suit during an apprehension demonstration with K-9 Jericho.

Pfc. Brandon Stanley wears a protective bite suit during an apprehension demonstration with K-9 Jericho.

Abigail Ryan, 4, studies the forensic science of dusting for fingerprints at a demonstration by detectives from the Wheeling Police Department.

Ashton O'Dell, 6, of Mingo Junction, rides through an obstacle course wearing Fatal Vision impairment simulation goggles in one of the many hands-on demonstrations.

Melissa Pajak of the Northern Regional Highway Safety Office reminds everyone to “Click It, Or Ticket.”