MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Even the dogs were let out for National Night Out.

"I like that good neighborhood connection, and when (people) meet the police and the fire, that's all good community relations," Cindee Picklo, who organized the event for her third time said.

National Night Out was a fun way to do it, introducing the community to their local branches of law enforcement. For the kids, there was free ice cream, firetruck tours, and Frisbee sessions with the police mascot, McGroff.

"I think it's important to have police and fire to come out and meet the neighborhoods and community," rookie Meridian Township firefighter Charles Malesko said. "Just let them know that we're not scary, that you can come and talk to us."

National Night Out has been connecting local law enforcement to Tacoma Hills for over 30 years since the awareness day was founded in 1984.