Barry Baker (center), of National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, helps Cassius Smith, 3, on his motorcycle at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Nelita Roman (right) poses her son, Eli, 3, after he had his face painted at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Cassius Smith (center) plays with the steering wheel of the fire truck while Brooklyn Pomeroy (right) holds him at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Tammy Brown (center), of National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, gives Bentley Pomeroy (right) a slice of pizza at a National Night Out event at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Barry Baker (center), of National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, helps Cassius Smith, 3, on his motorcycle at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
The Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority and Charleston Police Department hosted four events Tuesday for National Night Out, an annual nationwide event that fosters relationships between police officers and the public.
At Orchard Manor in North Charleston, visitors enjoyed free food, games and a bounce house with CPD officers. Representatives from the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office were on site to create free identification cards for the kids.
Tammy Brown (center), of National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, gives Bentley Pomeroy (right) a slice of pizza at a National Night Out event at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
At South Park Village near Kanawha City, children climbed inside a fire truck, had their faces painted and took photos with McGruff the Crime Dog and motorcycles. Music played as parents mingled and kids on bicycles whizzed past officers handing out popcorn.
"It's important to me to give back to the community," said Tammy Brown, volunteer at the event and secretary of the . "I love doing this, anything we can do to help our youth."
Cassius Smith (center) plays with the steering wheel of the fire truck while Brooklyn Pomeroy (right) holds him at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
CPD Sgt. Travis Bailes said in a statement that the CPD has participated in National Night Out for at least 15 years. Organizers hope the nationwide initiative, held annually in towns and cities across the country on the first Tuesday of August, will improve the relationship between police and fire agencies and the people they serve. National Night Out began in towns near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1984. Find more information at .
Nelita Roman (right) poses her son, Eli, 3, after he had his face painted at National Night Out at South Park Village in Charleston, Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
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