BUCHANAN — With the effort to take a stand against crime and bond with their community, the Buchanan Police Department will join the nation in celebrating National Night Out against Crime 2018.

The event is free and open to the public. It will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the McCoy Creek Recreation Area, behind Buchanan High School. There will be a host of child-friendly activities, including a giant water slide, water balloon fight, dunk tank and a picnic. Local fire departments will also be in attendance and help to supply water hoses for children to run through.

Sgt. Harvey Burnett, with the Buchanan Police Department, said it is a chance for youth and the community to interact with officers in a laid-back setting.

“This whole thing is about building community partnerships,” Burnett said. “We are out talking with people, interacting having fun and eating together.”

There’s also an educational component to the event and police will talk to youth about the importance of reporting crime when they see it.

“We talk a little about … how we want safe communities,” Burnett said. “And if people see [crime] happening, they should report it the police.”

Burnett said police also try to reinforce the importance of making good choices, such as not getting involved in drugs.

To spread awareness about National Night Out, residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights between 6 and 9 p.m.

Burnett said funding for National Night Out comes from the police department’s community policing budget. A number of local businesses also step up to donate food for the picnic, Burnett said.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of National Night Out. Other local communities including Berrien Springs also take part in the event. The Buchanan Police Department has participated in the event for about 18 years. Each year, Buchanan’s National Night Out draws between 300 to 400 people to participate.

Burnett said the event is a way to have fun and get to know local authorities.

“Communities are built on human relationships and that way we know each other,” Burnett said. “By knowing each other we can trust each other … and work together to build safe communities.”

He encouraged people to take part in National Night Out.

“We invite everyone from the surrounding communities to come out,” Burnett said. “Buchanan, Buchanan Township, Niles, Niles Township — everybody is always welcome to come and celebrate with us.”