Dubois Square in downtown Pembroke was a popular place to be Saturday evening as the city hosted its annual National Night Out.
Even though public safety and crime prevention were the main themes of the event, there was still plenty of fun to be had. The event was complete with bounce houses, children’s activities, free food and even a chance to drop members of the Pembroke Fire Department into a dunk tank. Various vendors, Kix 96 Radio station and public safety agencies set up at the park to sell their wares or educate about public safety and crime prevention.
“Our true message is just to let the citizens know that this is the community and we are here to support them,” said Bill Collins, Pembroke public safety director and organizer for the National Night Out. “We want to make our community and police department one piece with one mind set.”
Collins noted he was very pleased with the turnout.
“The Pembroke Night Out is an event we have done for a very long time. Through the years it seems to get bigger and better,” he said.
Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell said she enjoyed meeting with the community’s citizens.
“This has been probably our best Night Out,” she said. “This has been the most participants as far as vendors and also in attendance.”
The Pembroke Night Out is part of a string of events across the county meant to increase community awareness of local police programs and anti-crime efforts.
“Part of National Night Out is to get your citizens involved and your police department and your city,” Collins said. “Mayor Warnell is a very big advocate of all citizens in Pembroke having a voice in our police department and our city.”