Safety fair a preview of National Night Out events

The organizers of this safety fair had it all figured out.

If you give away whistles to blow, better give away something else to stuff mouths, too, such as free food. Either that, or earplugs.

Noise-toys, sidewalk chalk, games and hot dogs were among the fun freebies at Saturday’s fair outside Target, 335 N. Academy Blvd. to kick off Tuesday’s National Night Out.

Equally popular were the crime-prevention coloring books, child fingerprint kits and information to promote the annual event for neighbors to turn on their porch lights and gather for block parties to make their neighborhoods safer.

Target is the national corporate sponsor of Night Out.

On Saturday, while local Target workers grilled hot dogs and gave away red-and-white party toys, members of Colorado Springs Police Dept. and other agencies answered questions and handed out safety guides and gadgets.

“They’re taking a lot of reflective bracelets and whistles,” police officer Lori Torrini said.
And they were making sure the whistles worked.

Candida Alires, on a Target shopping jaunt with her nephews, 6 and 8, picked up “Say No to Strangers” and other coloring books.

“It’s such a good idea,” she said. “I’ll go ahead and read to them about the strangers, and get their fingers printed.”

McGruff the Crime Dog stayed busy, even with no crime to bite.

“They ask me to bark,” the person inside the mask said. “Woof!”

McGruff was a hit with 4-year-old Lindsay Kelly. She liked that “puppy dog.”

“I liked the games they had here and everything they gave us,” said her sister, Katelynne, 8,.

The child safety ID kits appealed to their mom, Kortney.

“It was a fun day,” she said.

Made even better by the free hot dogs and Slurpees, according to their dad, Ryan.

DETAILS

Need free beach balls, light-up buttons and sidewalk chalk for your National Night Out neighborhood party? Contact Target, 335 N. Academy Blvd., 719-596-6220.

Need whistles and brochures? Go here for contact information on your local police substation.

Colorado Springs police officers and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office employees also will be visiting neighborhood gatherings on Tuesday. The sheriff’s office will conduct prize drawings at registered events

For more information on National Night Out, visit here.