The event is aimed at bringing awareness to various public safety partners in the area, Fort Dodge Police Chief Roger Porter said.

“It’s a time for us to get together with the community and let them know we’re there and why we’re there and to have a good time outside of the regular interactions we have with them,” Porter said.

The event will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. While some of the activities will be geared toward children, the event is “all-encompassing,” Porter said.

The Fort Dodge Police Department and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office will bring out some of their patrol vehicles for tours.

-Messenger file photo
Gabriel Joseph, then 7, of Fort Dodge, works to get out of the heavy tactical gear he was trying on at the National Night Out event on the City Square in 2019.

“We’ll have the Special Emergency Response Team equipment down there that people can look at,” Porter said. “The kids like to lift up the vests and see how heavy they are.”

The Fort Dodge Fire Department is also expected to bring some vehicles for visitors to check out.

There will be plenty of free food and treats at National Night Out, Porter said. The Webster County Pork Producers will be grilling pork burgers and hot dogs, and The Dariette will be bringing ice cream.

Interacting with the Fort Dodge community at events like these is a priority for the Police Department, the chief said.

“Any community outreach is important because we’re constantly trying to build public trust and bridge that gap,” Porter said. “Over the years, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of doing that. We try to get out as often as possible.”

-Messenger file photo
Fort Dodge Firefighter/Paramedic Bryce Hamilton, at left, introduces Ember to Conner Brokaw, then 7, of Fort Dodge, during the National Night Out event on the City Square in August 2019.

National Night Out is a nationwide event that is held the first Tuesday of August.

“We look forward to people coming out,” Porter said. “We’ve got a lot of food and fun.”