In an effort to enhance and strengthen relationships between the Yelm community and local police and government, the Yelm Police Department and City of Yelm hosted the annual National Night Out on Aug. 1.
The event welcomed the community to Yelm City Park for a night of fun and community bonding, which included collaborations between local agencies and the Yelm Police Department. Steele Barrel Barbecue was hard at work handing out free hot dogs for those who visited. Yelm’s Kona Ice also dished out free snow cones for community members, while Tim’s Pharmacy provided free root beer floats.
“It’s so important because with National Night Out, it’s a whole countrywide organization and event,” Line Roy, Yelm communications and recreation coordinator, said. “Having these connections where the community can rely on the police department and the department can rely on the community helps decrease crimes, increase officer retention, as well as recruitment. We have such a great department, and we’re thankful to showcase how amazing they are. It’s so important, and I’m so grateful to be a part of that.”
She estimated that the event attracted 1,500 community members and deemed 2023’s National Night Out event as being “bigger and better” than the year before.
“I definitely would say the event grew, and that it was more successful than last year. There were more people, more fun things to do, and more for the community,” Roy said. “The K9 demonstration was a huge draw. We are so thankful for Thurston County and Sheriff Sanders for coming out and being willing to do that for us. The dunk tank was also a huge, huge draw.”
Yelm Police Sgt. Anthony Sparkuhl was amused as he welcomed community members to submerge police Chief Rob Carlson in a dunk tank. Many residents, young and grown, lined up to throw a baseball or a softball at the target to dunk the chief. Sparkuhl later was dunked at the event as well.
“With National Night Out, we thought it was a fantastic showing by the community,” Sparkuhl said. “We sold out the hot dogs within 50 minutes, but thankfully Line was able to get more from Grocery Outlet. It’s awesome to have that good, honest community relationship and support that we get in Yelm. I know other communities don’t always get that support, but we cherish it and love it. Shout out to Line for helping me plan this event. It felt like everything went good that night, I don’t think it could’ve gone better.”
Nisqually Police Department representatives also attended Yelm’s National Night Out event, and Sparkuhl was especially thankful for their help and relationship.
“I’d like to shout out the Nisqually Police Department coming and supporting us,” Sparkuhl said. “They’re the closest backup we have, and we’re really working on building that relationship with them.”
He also wanted to thank Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders for attending and participating in the event, as well as many others from within the community.
“There’s so many people to name,” Sparkuhl said. “From the community, to Mayor (Joe) DePinto, Todd Stancil was out there. I saw members of the City Council out there, and it was like a whole city effort. It turned out to be a good day because everyone chipped in.”
To educate and entertain, Yelm police officers were joined by Thurston County Sheriff deputies, who brought a SWAT truck with them to the event. The law enforcement officers welcomed community members to take a close look at the different police vehicles on hand.
“Yelm’s 2023 National Night Out was the largest police building community event I’ve seen in my time with the Sheriff’s Office,” Sanders said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community, and a job well done to the City of Yelm as our host. Yelm knows how to party.”
