• Briarwood's National Night Out

OKEMOS, MI - August 3, 2021 was National Night Out. 23 neighborhood events spread across the Meridian and Williamstown Townships celebrated the community, and invited the police and firefighters out for a night of fun. On National Night Out, police officers, firefighters, and EMS come out to the neighborhoods to connect with the residents and build relationships. National Night Out is held annually on every 1st Tuesday of August. This was Officer Taya Catherwood’s first National Night Out.

“I am a rather new officer. I started towards the end of May, so this is my first time doing the National Night Out. But it gives the community a chance to come out here to talk with all of our officers, all of our firefighters, EMS, and ask us questions. We get to show off our police cruisers, and fire trucks come through so it really just allows the community to reach out to us.”

Officer Catherwood also expressed her enthusiasm for the event and how she feels that this event is a great way to connect with the community.

“For me personally, joining law enforcement, I was big with community policing and being able to give back to the community. So, to see everyone having a good time and enjoying this, is just really a lot of fun.”

Georgetown in Okemos was one of the many neighborhoods that celebrated National Night Out, in fact it was their first time participating in the event. Many of their residents are new to the developing neighborhood, but they still are a well integrated community. Steven Smith, Treasure for the Georgetown Homeowners Association was excited to participate in the event and celebrate the community.

“We’re here celebrating our police officers, and our firefighters. We invited them out, and we obviously have a big tent set up for our residents to let them come out and enjoy. And we got some nice ice cream, and some drinks, and we’re just having a good time celebrating National Night Out.”