Thank you for a great night out

To the editor:
On Aug. 2, several people from the community met at the Joe on the Go lot for The National Law Enforcement Night Out. This event is designed to get neighbors out socializing with each other and meet the police officers in the area.
We are very fortunate that in this area, everyone works together as a team. Law enforcement officers, chaplains and dispatchers from all over Jay County came to meet the public at this event. Several firefighters, medics and first responders came to meet and talk with the public also.
I would personally like to thank everyone that stopped by the event, and thank the following agencies or departments that helped make it a success.
Jay County Sheriff’s Office brought the train for the children to ride. Portland Fire Department brought a truck and had the children practice aiming with the fire hose.
The Elks Lodge shared the drug awareness trailer, along with literature. Dunkirk Police Department, Portland Police Department, Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Fire Department had vehicles on display. Jay County and Portland Police Departments had the police K-9s at the event. Mayor Randy Geesaman attended and socialized with everyone.
The Portland Police Department shared information on its neighborhood watch program that will start in November. The Portland Police Department gave out applications for its 2016 citizen’s police academy. Balloons and several other items were given out by the departments.
The Portland Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni cooked and served 250 hotdogs and waters. The alumni also presented their 2016 scholarship to Mario Rodriguez during this event.
Family Life Care provided shelter for the event and the City of Portland parks department provided picnic tables.
Joe on the Go stayed open and allowed us to use the lot.
Thank you to Rob Weaver and WPGW radio for the interview prior to the event and The Commercial Review for covering the event.
A special thank you to Rodney Miles for bringing ice cream to everyone working the event, and a thank you to the lady who provided a tab at Joe on the Go for the workers of the event.
For pictures of this year’s event, go to the Portland Police Department Facebook page.
If you missed the event and have interest in this year’s citizen’s police academy, please contact Portland Police Department.
Thank you,
Nathan Springer
Portland Police Chief