A night of fun
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on August 3, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Brandon Griffin and his son Brandon Jr., 7, eat hot dogs on the front porch of Herman Park Center as they seek shelter from the rain Tuesday night during the annual National Night Out. The Griffins, who live near the center, have been attending the event for the last three years.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Goldsboro Police Explorer Program members Chris Wiggins, Kayla Thornton and Forneika Williams pass out posters, calendars and information about the program during National Night Out at Herman Park.
Thousands of people circulated through the Herman Park Center in Goldsboro Tuesday evening for the 33rd annual National Night Out.
The evening brought families, law enforcement and city and county agencies together for a night of crime-free fun that allowed the community to get to know law enforcement and vice versa.
All through the night there was free entertainment and concessions, ranging from music and a karate display to free Ben & Jerry's ice cream and vendor booths that provided information to the community about what resources are available in Goldsboro and Wayne County.
Tuesday night's festivities were moved inside the Herman Park Center from the original location of Herman Park due to rain.
The crowd wasn't nearly as large as the Mount Olive celebration held at the Carver Cultural Center, but those who attended still enjoyed the free food, children's activities, bingo, a dunking booth and working law enforcement dogs from the Duplin County Sheriff's Office.
They appeared to especially enjoy the three-on-three basketball games with police officers.
Even a Zumba class broke out as participants in a nearby building joined in the festivities.
In Mount Olive, the celebration was moved from the police station to the Carver Cultural Center to provide a more controlled environment with officers inside and outside the gym.
Everything, including the food, was donated, she said.
"I really wasn't worried about the weather," Mount Olive Assistant Police Chief Linda Tyson said. "There has been so much going on in communities when officers get together I felt like I should move it inside the gym with a few officers inside and out -- not have all of our officers out in an open space.
"I want to make sure everybody is safe. So this is more secure. Everybody is having fun. You have law enforcement outside monitoring people who come in. You have officers inside the door so it is more vigilant for being safe."
There were no problems, not even from the threatening skies.
Mrs. Tyson said she had encouraged parents to bring their children and was glad to see so many at the event.
"That's why we like for the parents to bring their children out here, to let them know that when these officers are out on the street or just around, at any particular time of day gather are your friends," she said. "You can go to them and talk to them. They are not here to harm you."
People give police a bad name and children pick up on that, she said.
"And we don't want that to happen here in town of Mount Olive," she said.
People packed the Herman Park Center wall to wall to hear key speakers Mayor Chuck Allen, Police Chief Mike West, Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce and Goldsboro Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer Anthony Goodson deliver messages of unity between law enforcement and the community.
Pierce emphasized the importance of building strong bonds between officers and the community, and one of the event organizers, Cpl. Marissa Davis, said having events like National Night Out are important now more than ever.
"We're hoping to build bonds and get rid of the snitching stereotype, and encourage people to work with law enforcement," Ms. Davis said.
Ms. Davis said there were 35 confirmed vendors at the event that offered various resources those in attendance could take advantage of. Organizations such as Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, Wayne Community College, the Wayne County Museum, Crime Stoppers, Goldsboro Explorer Post 209 and many others were represented at the event.
"These organizations are out here giving their time, talent and treasure to the community, and I say that because all of this is free. The community doesn't have to pay for anything here tonight," Ms. Davis said.
Mary Pearsall attended the event with her two granddaughters, Amiya Pearsall and Serenity Moore. They were circulating through the vendor booths tucked inside the Herman Park Center auditorium and speaking with officers and representatives of organizations.
"We need this," Ms. Pearsall said of the event. "Especially with everything going on in this day and time. We need them to let us know they are here for us, and we need to let them know we are here for them."
Several representatives from the Philadelphia Community Church, located at 357 Hare Road, were at the event standing on the steps of the Herman Park Center.
Marie Gavin, from the church, said Ms. Davis is a member of their church and that they have attended the event for the past six years to support her efforts in organizing the event.
"This event is very important, Ms. Gavin said. "Police officers keep us safe, and they're the first ones we call when we're in trouble. It's important, especially in this time with everything going on."
Brandon Griffin was sitting on the steps of the Herman Park Center with his son, Brandon Griffin Jr., eating hot dogs and ice cream. Griffin said he lives near the Herman Park Center, off of Elm Street, and that the event was "pretty cool" and "very important." He said he and his son have attended the event for the past three years.
"We try to make it out every time," Griffin said.
Staff writer Steve Herring contributed to this story.