The Hastings City Council is on board with a plan for the city to host its first National Night Out in August.
Hastings Police Deputy Chief Dale Boulter, who was given credit for the original idea, told the council Monday that the planning was in its beginning stages with a lot of work to do, but a committee made up of Boulter, Officer Kendra Backing and Sgt. Kris Miller, Secretary Anne Lockman and Chief Jeff Pratt has begun making decisions.
The national event, always held the first Tuesday in August, promotes police-community relationships, giving the community a chance to see law enforcement in a relaxed setting, while promoting a sense of community, positive public relations, safety and trust.
Backing, who has experience in 10 such events, said the night out activities sends the message to the community that the Hastings Police Department really wants to provide and maintain a quality of life for citizens.
Boulter said county emergency services, police, fire, 911, EMS, would be at the event, with demonstrations of what they do, along with other community outreach organizations like the Barry County United Way and Green Gables that provide resources for residents.
Decisions will be made on a site for the event, hours, parking, traffic control, prizes, food and more.
Boulter expects citizens from all over Barry County to attend the occasion and would like to have a lot more than just one year of the event. He said he will provide the council with much more information as planning goes on.
