By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Numerous Helena police and fire department vehicles, equipment and more filled the parking lot of the Helena Marketplace located along Shelby County 17, as families and residents came out to Helena’s inaugural National Night Out on Aug. 2.

National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make neighborhoods and communities better and safer.

Hundreds of Helena residents showed up from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 2 to meet and greet with members of the Helena police and fire departments, police and fire explorers, learn safety tips and enjoy free hot dogs, chips and beverages.

Many kids enjoyed sitting up high in the Helena Fire Department’s new ladder truck No. 6 as parents took pictures and enjoyed the evening.

Helena resident Josh Gray attended National Night Out with his daughter Madelyn and said the event was beneficial to the community.

“I think this is a great event for kids but I also ended up learning a lot myself,” said Gray.

“My favorite part was seeing the smoke detectors,” Madelyn said, referring to a safety demonstration given by the Helena Fire Explorers.

In addition to the vehicles, those in attendance had the opportunity to purchase “Helena Strong” T-shirts for sale from Ovation Media Inc. to benefit the Helena Police Department and also win giveaways from Jack’s in Helena and the police and fire explorers.

Helena Fire Explorer Capt. Matthew Mayfield said he believes National Night Out is a great event because it “brings everyone together.”

“On both sides of it with fire and police it just brings everyone together,” said Mayfield. “It gives everyone a chance to come out and this event is mostly for the police but we are out here showing support because we have each other’s backs.”

National Night Out has been celebrated by numerous communities throughout Shelby County in the past, but this was the first time Helena participated in National Night Out.