National Night Out Builds Police, Community Relations

(KNSI) – Around 50 neighborhoods in St. Cloud held block parties for National Night Out.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says the annual event has been around for about 50 years and is designed to get people outside to talk with each other and get to know your neighbors. He says we are all safer when we know our neighbors.

KNSI was at the St. Cloud Rotary Club Community Outpost, better known as the COP House. The COP House has been held up as a community and police relations model because of the programs provided to the neighborhood.

Jake Judd (KNSI News)

St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson says this is a day to celebrate how well they do community. He says that relationship has been built over time, and the Community Outpost’s services have helped. The COP House hosts parenting classes, kids’ programs, youth sports leagues, dental clinics, and anything else that’s needed.

St. Cloud Representative Dan Wolgamott says the COP House has helped forge unity between the police and the neighborhood. He said he’ll work on legislation so Minnesota can support other Community Outposts.

Around 200 cities across the nation take part in National Night Out, including Sartell and Sauk Rapids.

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