Uniting against crime

• Taser demonstration

Echo Press photo by Celeste Beam Chris Johnson, an Alexandria firefighter, volunteered to be tasered at the Community Night Out event Tuesday at City Park. Jay Halverson (left) and Kevin Guenther (right) from the Alexandria Police Department helped Johnson to the ground as he was shot with the taser. Two other people were also voluntarily tasered during the demonstration – Joe Waldorf, an Alexandria firefighter and Jeff James, who serves on the Police and Civil Service Commission.
• Dishing up custard

Echo Press photo by Celeste Beam Alexandria City Council member Owen Miller took a turn at dishing up free frozen custard from Culver’s Restaurant during the annual Community Night Out celebration, hosted by the Alexandria Police Department and the city of Alexandria.

Talk about it

Beautiful sunny skies and a slight breeze off the lake made for great weather for the annual Community Night Out celebration Tuesday at City Park.

The Alexandria Police Department and the city of Alexandria hosted the annual event, which is held in conjunction with the National Night Out – an event deemed as a celebration against crime and drugs.

Between 500 and 600 community members attended the free event, according to Alexandria Police Captain Scott Kent.

“It was a great turnout and a beautiful evening,” Kent said. “Any time we can give back to the community, it’s a positive.”

Attendees enjoyed free hot dogs and chips, free beverages and free frozen custard courtesy of the Eagles Lodge, Pete’s County Market, Viking Bottling Company and Culver’s Restaurant.

A big hit this year was the taser (an electroshock weapon) demonstration. There were three volunteers this year – Chris Johnson and Joe Waldorf, two Alexandria firemen, and Jeff James, a member of the Police and Civil Service Commission.

Many people – kids and adults alike – enjoyed boom truck rides, and kids also enjoyed the “Fire Hopper,” an inflatable bouncer.

In addition, there were night vision goggle and fatal vision goggle demonstrations, as well as informational booths and freebies from city departments and organizations.

“Overall, the event went very well and we are looking forward to it again next year,” Kent concluded.

Tags: local news, community night out, news, police, alexandria, taser