Students, faculty and staff took the opportunity to meet UH police officers at the National Night Out, where the University community learned about safety-related issues across campus. | Izmail Glosson/The Daily Cougar
Police cars, uniformed officers, and hundreds of faculty and students filled Lynn Eusan Park on Tuesday, when the UH Police Department hosted the third annual National Night Out and Walk in the Dark.
One of the participants, Lt. Bret Collier, has attended the National Night Out every year that it has been held at the park and said that this year’s event was much larger than previous years.
“It’s an opportunity for police to interact with the community, hear concerns the public are having and advertise the services the Department offers,” Collier said. “We get an opportunity to talk to people we don’t usually get to talk to.”
A performance by the University’s band began the event and free hot dogs were provided by UHPD. Students were able to familiarize themselves with the department at the information booth.
“Students see the officers and get familiar with our faces,” said Officer Yolanda Edmund.
Several organizations that have a close relationship with UHPD attended the National Night Out to give information and show support for the police. 104.1 KRBE provided music for the event after the band performance, Smoothie King gave out free smoothies and the local Foster’s Auto Service gave out tips to students on their cars’ maintenance.
Edmund was in charge of the event’s preparation.
“I didn’t realize how much work it took,” Edmund said. “It was really a lot.”
The National Night Out concluded with the Walk in the Dark with campus police. Students, faculty and police broke off into integrated groups to walk through campus and check for low limbs, burned-out lights and other safety-related issues on campus.
