The City of Hartsville’s first responders invite the community to join them in Burry Park, 131 Cargill Way, on August 14, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for National Night Out. The event will feature free snacks, kid’s activities such as a balloon animals, bubbles, a DJ, and more. The area’s first responders including Hartsville Police Department and Hartsville Fire Department will be attending the event for a meet and greet with the community. Both departments will host games to give kids a look into life as a police officer or firefighter.

National Night Out is an annual community event that promotes first responders and community partnerships across the nation. The event enhances the positive relationship between neighbors and law enforcement as well as other first responders.

Hartsville Police Department will also be placing an emphasis on safety and preparation at this year’s event. They will have 100 free child ID kits for children. These kits will allow parents to have a documentation of identifying information for children should it ever be needed. The Department’s DUI Officer will also be on site with a drunk driving simulator for those 16 years and older.

Lieutenant Tenyonde Richardson, Community Outreach Representative for the Hartsville Police Department, expressed the Department’s excitement for the upcoming event. “This annual National Night Out event is one of the highlights of the year for our Community Outreach Division. During National Night Out, our officers are able to interact with both youth in the community and their families to make a positive impact on their perception of law enforcement. We have some new activities planned for this year and know that it will be a great event for the community.”

Hartsville Fire Department is also one of the annual participants in the event. This year, they are also excited to bring in new activities including the smoke house simulator which will allow participants to walk through a house filled with theatrical fog. This simulator gives everyday citizens a small glimpse into the life of a firefighter as they are forced to make decisions when on scene of a fire.

The event will be followed by Screen on the Green, a free outdoor movie series, also in Burry Park. This showing will feature, “Spiderman: Into the SpiderVerse”, sponsored by LOL Steam Center. Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets and chairs for the movie showing.