National Night Out a big draw
Published 10:30 am Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Police Officer Mark Walski talks with Heidi Akkerman and her daughter, Stella Akkerman, 9 months, and son Grant Akkerman, 3, during National Night Out Tuesday. –Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Three-year-old Brayden Nemec smiled as he climbed into the driver seat of the fire truck Tuesday evening at Bandshell Park.
“Driving the wheel, blowing the horn,” Brayden said to his mother, as he listed his favorite parts about the fire truck.
Brayden, along with his sister, Lyla, 2, and his mother and father, Kaye and Scott, were excited to meet local police officers and firefighters at the annual National Night Out, hosted by the Austin Police Department, Gold Cross, the Austin Fire Department and Target.
Kaye Nemec was happy to attend the event.
“Because this guy loves fire trucks and police cars, and we thought he’d like it,” Kaye said, pointing to Brayden. “So far so good. We said ‘hi’ to Bruiser, sat in a fire truck.”
Officer Kim Lenz hoped for a large turnout at the event, and as the Mayo One helicopter landed, a large crowd of excited parents, children and community members gathered.
Kids and their families are hit with the downburst from Mayo One as it passes over during National Night Out Tuesday night at Bandshell Park.
“The event is put on for basically the community to get together and to get to know everyone and to help with crime fighting,” Lenz said. “Also so they can get to meet their local police, firefighters and EMS.”
Lenz, along with officer Chad Norman, has hosted the event for several years.
“It’s just a way to tell the community that we’re going to fight back against crime,” Lenz said.
The event has remained free to the public because of the donations from some of the local companies.
Hormel donated hot dogs, Target donated chips and buns, Kwik Trip donated ice and propane tanks, and Seatherlite Graphics donated a banner.
People were able to tour Mayo One, police cars, fire trucks and a Gold Cross ambulance. K9 Sonic and his handler, Lt. Matt Holten, also made an appearance to demonstrate Sonic’s apprehension and obedience skills.
