For community members who want to take a closer gander at a squad car or fire truck, Tuesday night is the night.

The Austin Police Department is hosting its annual National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at Bandshell Park.

“The purpose is to get citizens more involved with the police so we can rely on them to assist us when criminal activity is taking place, for them to be our eyes and ears when things are going wrong,” Police Chief Brian Krueger said. “Basically we want to foster a working relationship and show the community the police officers are here to assist them.”

Free hot dogs and soda will be provided. Krueger said an ambulance crew and an ambulance, fire trucks, squad cars and the Special Incidence Response Team vehicle will all be there for community members to take a closer look at.

“Everyone’s welcome,” Krueger said. “Please come out and meet our local police department and public safety staff.

“(We’ll) work together to fight crime.”