CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – In their ongoing efforts to connect with the communities they serve, the Charlottesville Police Department and the Albemarle County Police Department will take part in National Night Out on Tuesday, the nationwide program that aims to connect local public safety officers with the people they work to protect.

While both departments pursue initiatives year-round to foster a strong bond with the community, events like Tuesday’s are among the highlights.

“It can’t just be one-offs. It can’t be window dressing,” CPD police chief Michael Kochis said during an appearance on WINA Morning News this week. “When you do that, you build relationships. And when you build relationships, you build trust. The event Tuesday, National Night Out, is just another way of doing that.”

The ACPD event, in conjunction with the county’s fire and rescue squad and sheriff’s department, will be at the Putt Putt Fun Center in Charlottesville from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and will include the chance to meet and play miniature golf with officers, check out police vehicles and spend time with police K-9s. There will be a scavenger hunt, prize giveaways and refreshments. 

The Albemarle County Police Foundation will be giving away school supplies to school age children. 

“The past two years we’ve done this event we’ve been able to draw 1,000 people from the community to come out,” ACPD chief Sean Reeves told Cville Right Now. “It’s a really good day. It’s family oriented.”

The CPD event will be at Washington Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include the chance to meet local responders, compete against officers in a donut eating contest and try to sink Kochis in a dunk tank. 

Kochis said he has sights set on the donut contest.

“I’m not going to eat for the next day and a half because I plan on winning it,” Kochis said.

There will be a DJ playing music, free food and family friendly games and activities. 

National Night Out is an annual, nationwide event celebrated the first Tuesday in August that aims to build a sense of community and promote partnership and neighborhood camaraderie. 

“I think it’s extremely important for the community to connect with our outstanding police department and our outstanding fire department, so they see the people who are protecting them as people who are concerned,” Board of Supervisors member Bea LaPisto-Kirtley told Cville Right Now. “They want what is best for the community.”