Harford National Night Out set for Tuesday

Tony Roberts, The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.
·3 min read

Jul. 28—The Harford County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies will host the county's annual National Night Out on Tuesday at the county equestrian center, 608 N. Tollgate Road in Bel Air.

Running from 5-8 p.m., residents will have the opportunity to gather with public safety officials, human service agencies and neighbors from around the county for this free family event.

Children and kids at heart will have a chance to check out police, fire and EMS vehicles that service the county. K-9 demonstrations and kids' activities will be among the highlights.

The goal of National Night Out is to build a partnership between police and members of the community.

"National Night Out is a wonderful community event aimed at deepening the positive relationship the Harford County Sheriff's Office already has with our Harford County community partners and citizens," said Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler. "At this event, families will be able to interact with deputies and other community organizations, and allows the sheriff's office to showcase all the different tools we have at our disposal to keep the county safe. I look forward to this event every year, and can't wait to see a great turnout from our community."

This event is part of a national program that was first introduced in 1984, according to National Night Out's website. Held annually on the first Tuesday in August, the program has sprawled to include 16,000 communities participating across every state.

The Morning Sun

"National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live," according to the National Night Out website.

The Harford's sheriff's office has participated in the event since the late 1990s. However, in 2020, the event was postponed until October because of COVID. The event returned last year following COVID guidelines. This year, there are no COVID restrictions for the outdoor event.

The event usually draws around 500 people, according to the sheriff's office. Some of the organizations involved this year are: Aberdeen Police, Bel Air Police, Havre de Grace Police, Maryland State Police, Harford County State's Attorney's Office, FBI, Fallston Volunteer Fire Department, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, Chesapeake Search and Rescue, Girl Scouts of America, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Citizens Police Academy.

Forest Hill-based PAWS Rescue will have adoptable puppies and puppy swag at the event.

"We will be bringing two puppies and two adult dogs with us to the event, and it would be great if both puppies and one of the adult dogs found their forever homes," said Katie Stutelberg, founder and executive director of PAWS. "The other adult dog, Snowball, came to us from a local shelter and needs several operations on her back legs due to severe deformities, so we are hoping to raise awareness and funds for her." Snowball's surgeries are expected to cost between $10,000 and $20,000, Stutelberg said.

The event is free to the public, but items may be sold by some of the organizations in attendance.