For every officer at the Faribault Police Department, there are roughly 800 residents. Chief John Sherwin said that’s why they rely on the community to be their eyes and ears. To help build a positive relationship between the police and the community, Faribault began to participate in National Night Out about 20 years ago.
The community-building event has taken on new life since, connecting the community with elected officials, firefighters and, perhaps most importantly, each other. From left, Shelly Prieve, Joey Erickson, Audrey Temple chat with Faribault Police Chief John Sherwin during the National Night Out block party Tuesday evening at First English Church. (Colton Kemp/southernminn.
com) Sarah and Bethany Longest briefly say hello to their grandfather, Jim Newport, at the National Night Out event Tuesday evening at the Faribault Community Center. (Colton Kemp/southernminn.com) “My perspective is that many neighborhoods look forward to the event as a time for neighbors to gather, catch up with one another and feel a sense of community,” Sherwin said.
“While the police department sponsors, promotes and helps organize the event, I think many neighbors would gather even if the police weren’t involved. That’s a good thing and a sign of a healthy community.” National Night Out began in 1984 Philly, and originally was focused on crime prevention and awareness.
Since then, it has evolved into a national event held every year on the first Tuesday in August, and exp.
