Wilson Park Community Gathers for National Night Out

ST. CLOUD -- Great food, fun games and plenty of activities filled Wilson Park tonight (Tuesday) as the community gathered for the annual National Night Out celebration.

National Night Out is an event that helps build relations between the community and law enforcement. It allows neighbors to get to know one another and helps build stronger communities.

Adam Ploof with the Northwest Wilson Park Neighborhood Association says the event gives everyone in the community an opportunity to meet law enforcement.

"It's a good chance to get the community together, very good chance to get the community involved with law enforcement, police, fire, everything, it's just really [about] everybody getting to know everybody," says Ploof.

Law enforcement officials also enjoy getting to know everyone. St. Cloud Assistant Police Chief Jeff Oxton says he looks forward all year for this night and loves what the celebration represents.

"It's focused on getting to interact with law enforcement, getting to focus on crime prevention activities and just making the community a safer, better place," says Oxton.

Kerri Anderson of St. Cloud came out to National Night Out for the first time, she says she enjoys meeting her neighbors.

"[I] just to see who is out here, get to know my neighbors and have some fun," says Anderson.

National Night Out was celebrated throughout many communities in the St. Cloud area. Typically the event is hosted on the first Tuesday of August throughout the country.