WACO, TX — Central Texas law enforcement agencies and community members gathered around multiple locations in the Waco area for National Night out.
Officials took the opportunity to connect with their community.
"We can't succeed as a police department without the support of our citizens. We need to do everything that we can as an agency to make sure we keep that trust, embed on that trust, and part of that is just getting out and talking to our citizens, and them coming out, and talking to us," said Commander Vrail George with the Waco Police Department.
The public is also taking advantage of the event to speak to their local officers of about the issues in their neighborhood.
"National Night Out is one of those nights where everyone comes together and talk about issues that pertain to the community. If you do have crime in your community and neighborhood, it's a good foundation to talk about it," said Sammy Smith, President of Brook Oaks Neighborhood Association.
Campus police at TSTC also made an appearance in the student recreational center.
Director of Student Life Michell Rachel has been a part of the tradition at the college for the past 18 years. She encourages students to get to know the police officers they see everyday.
"Too often the only time you really encounter an officer is in a crisis, or maybe when you're doing something you're not supposed to do, and it's important to build those healthy relationship, because they're really advocates, and they are great sounding boards that you can go to in a time of need," said Rachel.
