Local law enforcement departments as well as other public safety officials, such as fire departments and ambulance personnel, are gearing up for Tuesday’s National Night Out – a fun night to promote police and community partnerships.

National Night Out is set for Aug. 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Linton’s Humphreys Park. Free food – hot dogs from the Linton Masonic Lodge No. 560, chips from J.R. Davis Vending, and water from the Indiana Railroad – will be available. Exit 209 will be providing entertainment for the event.

When children register at the event, they will be given a numbered card. When visiting booths of businesses or organizations from the community, a representative from each booth will check off a number on the card. When the children have visited all the booths, they will return to the registration tent to turn in their card and receive tickets to be entered to win prizes. In previous years, prizes have included items such as gaming systems, bicycles, TVs, and more.

According to a letter from the Greene County National Night Out Committee, the event is one of Greene County’s largest events.. The event, which represents law enforcement from across Greene County, drew a crowd of nearly 4,000 last year.

“It gives families a reason to get out and enjoy a day of free fun while interacting with law enforcement, as well as other public safety agencies and businesses who are involved in their community,” according to the letter.

Relationship building is the primary goal of National Night Out, according to Linton Police Chief Paul Clark.

“The primary goal of National Night Out is to build relationships with law enforcement and other public safety employees in the community to show our communities that we support one another and to show the criminal element that the community is willing to work with police to combat crime,” Clark said.