Concordia Parish Narcotics Investigator Walter Mackel summed up Tuesday’s National Night Out well.

“Everybody, most of the time they get in contact with law enforcement it’s because of something negative,” he 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.”

He is correct.

Most of the time when law-abiding citizens call police officers or sheriff’s deputies, something bad has happened.

The National Night Out is a nationwide event aimed at improving the relationship between citizens and the law enforcement officers who protect and serve.

While the event may seem like an excuse to have snacks and let children see a police cruiser up close, the relationships built at such events can be critically important to the community.

Successful law enforcement requires a partnership be formed between citizens and the men and women who put their lives on the line each day for the greater good.

National Night Out only occurs once a year, but our community would be improved if we hosted such an event with more frequency and continue to say “thank you” to local law enforcement.