National Night Out is a community-building event meant to unite law enforcement and the public. Watch video
A different kind of interaction between law enforcement and the public was on display Tuesday night across the Lehigh Valley.
With tensions between law enforcement and the public highlighted by violent incidents across the nation, communities including Easton, Phillipsburg and Bethlehem Township hosted National Night Out parties.
National Night Out is a community-building event designed to unite law enforcement and other emergency providers with residents, and to encourage public safety.
Events at the Bethlehem Township Community Center and Shappell Park in Phillipsburg drew hundreds of people, with events that included demonstrations by the local police departments' K-9 teams.
The National Association of Town Watch says on its website there are National Night Out events in all 50 states and many major Canadian cities. The event is held annually on the second Tuesday in August.
National Night Out: What's happening in your community
The South Side Civic Association hosted one of nine events planned in the Easton area, beginning at 5 p.m. at Pioneer Playground.
In addition to building relations with first responders, the Pioneer Playground festivities included a Caribbean steel drums performance, Balloons the Clown, and a screening of the children's movie "Zootopia."
Approximately 350 people were in attendance, organizers said.
Reporters Steve Novak and Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report.
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