by DAVID HAMILTON

NATCHEZ — Tuesday marked a day on which local law enforcement made a concerted effort to connect with local citizens.

The annual National Night Out festivities are meant to encourage community involvement and allow law enforcement officers to engage the community.

“National Night Out is when law enforcement and community come together as one united force against crime,” Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said.

A caravan containing dozens of law enforcement vehicles from the Adams County and Concordia Parish sheriff’s offices and the Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday police departments visited multiple locales throughout the area from approximately 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

On his first official day as the Natchez police chief, Walter Armstrong said the day was a great success as officers were able to meet with and hear from residents.

“This is what community policing is all about,” Armstrong said.

When the cavalcade of law enforcement cars stopped at the historic Woodlawn district, residents and officers came together at a block party filled with food, music and dancing.

Natchez resident Brandy Taylor experienced her first National Night Out since moving to the city from California last May.

“I don’t even want to go back,” Taylor said. “This is just real nice.

“All these kids — there ain’t been a fight or nothing. It’s just been very positive.”

Taylor said the event is something that helps the children as they grow up.

“The kids will grow up better if there’s more groups like this,” Taylor said.

Another attendee, Keith Mays, said he thought the event should be held more than once a year.

“They should do it again at the end of summer … like two, three times throughout the summer,” Mays said.

Resident Naomi Hall, who has lived in the Woodlawn district for the past 25 years, agreed that the event should occur more than just once annually.

“They should do it in the fall as well,” Hall said.

Concordia Parish Narcotics Investigator Walter Mackel said the day gives law enforcement officers a chance to eliminate some of the “anti-police” sentiment of today’s society.

“Everybody, most of the time they get in contact with law enforcement it’s because of something negative,” Mackel said. “National Night Out gives us an opportunity to come out and meet the citizens, to get out and meet the people in the community in a positive light so they can get to know us and to know that we’re here to help.”

After seeing a great response from the community, Sheriff Patten said he hopes law enforcement can continue to build upon the solidarity displayed Tuesday.

“The people in this community showed us their love for law enforcement, and we appreciate that,” Patten said.

The National Night Out has occurred annually since it began in 1984.