Tuesday marked the National Night Out celebration for both North and South Bryan residents, giving community members and local law enforcement officials the chance to mingle.

In Richmond Hill, car and foot traffic around J.F. Gregory Park was dense as an estimated 3,000 people convened for the city’s NNO festivities. Residents met their local law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel and enjoyed a host of entertaining activities for all ages.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to showcase itself and come together … we’re very proud of our community and that the crime rate is low,” Richmond Hill Police Chief Billy Reynolds said. “We stand together to maintain that.”

Under the pavilion, local organizations, businesses and churches hosted games while members of the police department and City Council helped to hand out free hot dogs, chips and beverages, all donated by local businesses.

In North Bryan, several schools hosted open houses Tuesday evening, but that didn’t stop more than 500 people from going downtown to enjoy music, food and more at Pembroke’s NNO celebration.

“We tried to work the school opening into National Night Out by giving away school supplies a lot of kids wouldn’t have,” Pembroke Police Chief Mark Crowe said.

The Bryan County Drug Free Coalition, Bryan County Family Connection and others gave out school supplies and goodies to help prepare North Bryan residents for the school year.

But despite all the school goodies available when the event began, more than 50 people waited in line for more than an hour to get a free backpack filled with school supplies, courtesy of Cub Scout Pack 141 and Emanuel Community Church, who partner together to raise $5,000 for the materials.

Read more in the Aug. 6 edition of the News.