ROCKINGHAM — An annual celebration for law enforcement to mingle with the community is scheduled for next week.
The Rockingham Police Department will host National Night Out from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Cole Plaza, where graduates of this summer’s Junior Police and Fire Academy will receive their certificates.
There will also be several activities including a dunking booth, electronic fingerprinting, a fatal vision goggles course and other games throughout the event, as well as food vendors, according to a flyer.
“National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” according to the NNO website. “Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
National Night Out is traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August, though some areas observe the event at other times.
In addition to National Night Out, the Rockingham Police Department has hosted a Kids Movie Afternoon for the children of the Gardenwood and Crown Pointe Apartments on Fridays since July 12, where kids could have popcorn and snacks while watching movies with officers.
Each year around Christmas, the department also takes around a dozen kids to Walmart to buy gifts for their families in the Shop With a Cop program.