By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

Chris Roark Lions Park was filling up fast Tuesday afternoon with crowds and first-responder vehicles. But there wasn’t any emergency, only a call to have a good time.

The Third Annual Groves Texas National Night Out kicked off at 4:30 p.m. and would be going well into the evening. Residents from across the city flocked to enjoy a variety of activities hosted by the Groves Police Department as well as other first responders like the fire department and state troopers.

“My sisters live in Groves, so we thought we’d stop by here first,” Darlise Miljan, a Port Neches resident, said.

Miljan and her family were planning on attending both National Night Out events going on in Groves and Port Neches.

Miljan said they had been attending the events since they first started three years ago.

“It really brings everyone together,” Miljan said. “It’s all about community.”

Across the way, Ryan Hammack led his wife and two kids along activity tents featuring police officers and dog rescue workers.

“They thought it would be fun to go to,” Hammack, a Groves resident, said of his kids. “They always have a good time when they come here.”

His son, Jesse Hammack, 11, said his favorite part of the event was seeing the helicopter.

Nearby, Groves resident Harold Bourgeois was working the Pups in Peril booth. He had two rat terriers by the leash looking for a good home.

As with many things, animals were a hit with children and adults alike. Pups in Peril member Angela Dodson literally welcomed the two pups with open arms.

Other attendees watched the dogs play.

“My kids wanted to come. It’s a good event and shows the community coming together,” Corey Antonio, a Groves resident, said.

Antonio said events like National Night Out were good for establishing trust between the community and law enforcement. He said it especially portrays the police in a much better light than some the negative coverage they may get.

Groves City Marshal Norman Reynolds Jr. mentioned that events like this were not only good for the community, but also good for the men and women in his department.

“It’s good seeing the group get together like this,” Reynolds said. “They’re all working toward a common goal, and I enjoy seeing them setting things up like the tents and goofing and giggling around with each other.”

Reynolds said the interaction between the community and first responders had been very positive for them and for his department.