Ready to Respond - Morgantown magazine

Meet the police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who answer the call at the August 5 National Night Out at Krepps Park.

Community safety is rooted in strong relationships: between neighbors, but also between residents and first responders. On Wednesday, August 5, at Morgantown’s first National Night Out, you can meet the city’s police officers, firefighters, and other emergency response workers and get a close-up look at how they do their work.

National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to increase awareness of community policing. Today, it’s an annual campaign that promotes police–community partnerships in 17,000 communities across the U.S.

Head over to Krepps Park next Wednesday for Morgantown’s first NNO event, where you’ll find

Live dive team, drone, and K-9 demonstrations;
Safety skill demonstrations, including CPR and first aid, pet training, and self-defense;
First responder vehicle and equipment displays; and
Bucket truck rides.

There will also be free bike and helmet giveaways, raffles, face painting, bounce houses, a dunk tank, and access to Krepps Pool, along with dozens of hands-on activities hosted by local organizations and businesses.

At 7:20 p.m., event organizers will ring a bell in honor of fallen officers and first responders in Morgantown. Raffle winners will be announced at 7:50.

National Night Out takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., and it’s free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the CMA Church of Morgantown at 308 Elmhurst Street.