National Night Out draws hundreds for relationship-building with police

Law enforcement and community members celebrated National Night Out at Opechee Park in Laconia on Tuesday evening. The free, family-friendly event is designed to build trust and communication between police and their town or city's residents, particularly youth. The event grew from last year, drawing in hundreds of people and distributing over 500 hotdogs. Children and their families had a chance to get an up close look at police equipment as well as see demonstrations. Laconia Police Department, Laconia Fire Department, Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Concord Hospital-Laconia, Laconia Public Library, Navigating Recovery, the NH National Guard, and Big Brothers Big Sisters were all represented. A Blackhawk helicopter from the NH Army National Guard was expected to land at Opechee Park, but it was diverted to assist a hiker who suffered a medical emergency on the Kinsman Ridge Trailhead near Franconia.