CCSO hosts National Night Out

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) held its annual National Night Out event to connect with the community and form relationships with residents of Columbia County.

“Events like National Night Out help humanize the badge and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community, as well as with other agencies throughout the county,” Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said. “It’s also a chance for everyone to have some fun while forming these connections.”

The event was held Aug. 6, and brought agencies from around the county together to link up with people from around the county. Pixley said that based on the amount of meals served, there were around 600 community members in attendance. Pixley said it was the biggest turnout that CCSO has seen at the event, and they hope to continue growing the event in the future.

Attendees had the option to partake in family-friendly activities, and there was free food and beverages for attendees. National Night Out featured two bouncy houses, jail tours, popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, burgers and hot dogs, police cars, fire trucks, police horses, a K9 Demo, live music, and a dunk tank.

The dunk tank fundraiser is a staple of the event, and folks had the opportunity to purchase balls to throw at a target; when they hit the mark, they watched as the person in the tank was dumped unceremoniously into the water. Though Pixley was not one of the volunteers who spent time getting dunked, he thanked Columbia County District Attorney Joshua Pond, Columbia County Circuit Court Judge Nick Brajcich, Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett, Lieutenant Chris Fluellen, Deputy Arnie Lautt, Deputy Austin Marquette, and Deputy Jen Stratton for taking a turn getting dunked.

“This year, we raised $400 through the dunk tank fundraiser. My staff decided to donate that money to the Elks Veterans Bunker,” Pixley said.

The Elks Veterans Bunker helps local veterans receive assistance and resources through the Veterans Affairs and the community.

Though the CCSO hosts the event, it would not be possible without the other agencies that attended. Other organizations and businesses that were represented at the event included Scappoose Police Department, St. Helens Police Department, Columbia County Parole & Probation, Columbia County 911, Scappoose Fire District, Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Columbia County Public Health, St Helens School District, Columbia County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, CCSO Search and Rescue, Hometown Heroes of Columbia County, InRoads Credit Union, Trinity Services Group, Elks Veterans Bunker St. Helens, and Cater Hill Band.

Pixley said that these events help foster more of a sense of community but also act as a way to form positive relationships with future generations.

“These events allow my staff, and staff from other agencies, to play and socialize with community members,” Pixley said. “Even more importantly, it helps law enforcement make a positive impression on the children in our community. I believe that through positive interactions like these, we can build trust with the younger generation as they grow up.”