Flashing blue lights, fire engines, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles filled the streets of Columbus Tuesday evening as multiple National Night Out escorts traveled to neighborhoods across the city, bringing together law enforcement, first responders, and residents for an evening focused on community partnerships.
CNAW2News rode along with Corporal Heather Hicks of the Columbus Police Department’s Community Policing Unit as one of the escorts visited three neighborhoods throughout the evening.
The escort included members of the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the Probation Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Columbus Fire & EMS, radio stations, local news outlets, Always Uptown, and community members. The procession featured marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, Chevrolet Tahoes, BearCats, motorcycles, Slingshots, ambulances, fire engines, rescue trucks, and other emergency vehicles.
The escort traveled to:
- Waverly Terrace on 11th Avenue
- Windsor Park on Winfield Place
- Old Town on Confetti Blush Road
At each stop, residents welcomed first responders with refreshments, snacks, and meals while children and families had the opportunity to meet officers, firefighters, deputies, and other public safety personnel in a relaxed setting.
National Night Out is an annual event held in communities across the country to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve.
Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis, who has participated in National Night Out for more than two decades, said the event is about bringing everyone together.
“I’ve been doing National Night Out for over 20 years, and what it is, it’s where law enforcement can all come together and we build some camaraderie,” Mathis said. “It’s one thing we get to do to show the citizens how much we care about them, and in return, the citizens show us how much they care about us.”
Mathis said the evening represents a partnership between numerous agencies and the community.
“It’s collaboration between law enforcement, the DA’s office, the public defender’s office, the sheriff’s department, and the citizens all come together for one night.”
He also credited Sergeant Angela Florence and her team for organizing the annual event.
“She does an amazing job, and that’s just one aspect of what she does. She does a multitude of other things, but tonight, every bit of this is Sergeant Florence and her team.”
Mathis encouraged anyone who missed this year’s celebration to attend in the future.
“If you’re not out here, or you’re not in one of the neighborhoods that we’re visiting, you need to get out there.”
During the Windsor Park stop, resident Dianne Boswell thanked the first responders for their service.
“We’re so excited to be out here tonight for National Night Out, celebrating our wonderful law enforcement officers and first responders in our community.”
Boswell said the event gives residents an opportunity to show appreciation for those who serve every day.
“We are so thankful for their care, their kindness, and their support as they put their lives on the line daily to take care of us in our community.”
She added that National Night Out allows neighbors to personally thank first responders for work that often goes unnoticed.
“We’re thankful for this opportunity to spend time with all of these wonderful people and tell them how much we appreciate what they do for us every day that goes unseen.”
While several National Night Out escorts visited neighborhoods across Columbus Tuesday evening, the escort accompanied by CNAW2News highlighted the mission behind the event: building trust, strengthening community relationships, and reminding residents that public safety is a partnership between first responders and the people they serve.