Nearly 500 people braved the hot evening hours Aug. 7, making their way to Duncan Park in Fairburn to attend the second annual National Night Out, a program designed to enhance communication and participation between law enforcement and the community.

Initiated last year by Chief Charles Long, the event came complete with plenty of interaction between police officers and firefighters and the hundreds of residents who had the opportunity to meet the city’s public safety officers.

There were moonwalks and other inflatable “funhouses” for the kids, a rescue chopper on one of the ballfields, a “jaws of life” demonstration by firefighters, plenty of conversation on crime awareness and prevention and, of course, food. Fairburn Police began cooking long before the crowds started arriving at 6 p.m. and continued grilling hamburgers and hot dogs until 9 p.m. Police department staff worked too, serving the lines of hungry residents. In all, the 500 children and adults at the event consumed 800 hamburgers and hot dogs.

By all counts the event was a success. And above all, it provided a relaxed atmosphere for the families to come and have fun and get to know the officers that protect the community, Long said.

National Night Out is a nationwide effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and support for law enforcement. Now in its 25th year, National Night Out in 2006 saw participation in more than 10,000 cities in all 50 states.