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Children interact with a motorized fire dog at the Chelsea National Night Out event on Oct. 2 at Chelsea Walmart. (REPORTER PHOTOS/STEPHEN DAWKINS)

CHELSEA – Residents of Chelsea and surrounding areas had the opportunity to have fun and meet local firefighters and police officers during the city’s third National Night Out event on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

Most National Night Out events, which are held the first Tuesday of August or the first Tuesday of October, are sponsored by municipal police departments.

Chelsea does not have a city police force and is instead covered by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, which sponsored Chelsea’s National Night Out event.

Deputy Debbie Sumrall, community outreach, said the event allows the SCSO to meet residents in a stress-free environment and ensure them that their safety is a priority for the department.

“We want to make sure we reach the north end of the county,” Sumrall said. “We feel like this is a good spot for us to reach the community.”

SCSO officials brought a boat, Tactical Response Unit vehicle, a negotiator and corrections officer to help attendees learn about the department’s work.

Also on hand were representatives of the Chelsea, North Shelby, Westover and Cahaba Valley fire departments, along with the Citizens Sheriff’s Academy and Chelsea Citizens Observer Patrol.

Attendees also enjoyed offerings from food trucks and information provided by various vendors.

The event was held in the parking lot of the Chelsea Walmart store.

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