Building community bonds and ensuring safety in St. Cloud

On Tuesday, the St. Cloud Police Department held its National Night Out event at St. Cloud Lakefront Park. The event, which had to be postponed due to weather, was a resounding success and provided a fun evening of games, activities and public safety presentations. Families enjoyed live entertainment from a DJ, delicious food from local food trucks, and touch-a-truck demonstrations where children could explore police and emergency vehicles.

“National Night Out is about the community bonds that help keep our community safe,” St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Georke said during the event. “We solve problems together, not just the police. We constantly go out and interact with our community and that keeps our crime rate low. We want to know who our community is, and we definitely want our community to know who we are.”

National Night Out is an annual initiative designed to strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement and promote partnerships that improve neighborhood safety and camaraderie. Founded in 1984, the event encourages communities across the country to come together, work with local law enforcement and take a stand against crime through organized events, block parties and public safety demonstrations.

The campaign is important because it promotes positive interactions between law enforcement and the public. By building trust, it helps ensure safer and more connected communities where residents feel comfortable engaging with police officers and reporting problems before they escalate.

The St. Cloud Police Department’s National Night Out included face painting, a St. Cloud Police robotics demonstration, WonderWorks activities, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, free Starbucks and a dunk tank with Police Chief Doug Goerke. The event not only provided entertainment, but also meaningful safety presentations and fostered a sense of togetherness and partnership between the community and law enforcement.