MCCORDSVILLE — Harold Rodgers sat perched on the ledge of the dunk tank, taunting the teenager throwing softballs at the lever that would send him plunging if struck.
“Come on, is that all you’ve got?” Rodgers teased, egging on the crowd of spectators forming to watch the spectacle.
The final projectile launched from the boy’s hand, sailing wide to the right of his target. But before Rodgers could breathe a sigh of relief, the young man sprinted up to the button and slapped it, sending the McCordsville Police Department’s chief plummeting into the water.
Rodgers resurfaced with a smile stuck to his face, shaking his head at the cheating challenger as he climbed back onto the ledge for the next thrower to have a go.
Dozens of citizens from the Fortville and McCordsville areas met with local police and firefighters this week for National Night Out, an annual, nationwide event encouraging first-responders to connect with their communities. About 45 law enforcement agencies in Central Indiana participated in this year’s campaign, said McCordsville Town Manager Tonya Galbraith.
McCordsville’s event was held Tuesday — the official National Night Out — at town hall. Fortville pushed its event to Thursday to avoid stormy forecasts earlier in the week.
With live music from a classic rock cover band, hot dogs fresh off the grill, a face painting station and the rare opportunity to send the police chief splashing into a tiny pool, McCordsville residents and their families were given the opportunity to see a side of police officers they ordinarily wouldn’t know about.
Unfortunately, people are often uneasy when interacting with law enforcement, Rodgers said. Events like these help remind residents that police are just people, too, he said.
“This is a good opportunity to show everybody that we’re not just here to enforce the law, but we’re here to be good neighbors and members of the community as well,” Rodgers said.
Galbraith agreed.
“I just think it’s really important for people to come out and see a positive side of their community and of public safety,” Galbraith said. “They can connect with their community and see that we’re all the good guys.”
Fortville’s get-together Thursday in Landmark Park featured similar festivities as citizens came out for a hot meal and quality time with men and women who protect their community each day.
Children screamed and laughed as they played in a bouncy house and many local businesses set up tents and booths to connect with people strolling by. It was the perfect evening to get to know the neighborhood, said Fortville Police Chief Bill Knauer.
“It’s about building a partnership that we are continually working on with our community,” Knauer said. “That’s always going to be part of our mission.”
The McCordsville and Fortville police departments celebrated independently following a county-wide event held in July at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department is making plans to reschedule its National Night Out event after canceling Tuesday due to rain.
