National Night Out is August 5

DAYTON - Columbia County residents are invited to join Sheriff Rocky Miller and his staff at National Night Out in the Dayton City Park on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served, and more than 30 displays and informational exhibits will be presented in the park.

Some of the featured attractions this year include Lifeflight and Medstar helicopters flying in for display and tours. The WSP bomb robot will be conducting demonstrations. Dayton General Hospital will have their decontamination tent up and running cool water for kids and adults to run through.

The Dayton city swimming pool will be open for free swimming. Afterwards, there will be a free movie in the park, and a night glow fun run.

During the event, Sheriff's deputies will accept leftover or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications, no questions asked.

National Night Out is an annual anti-crime and anti-drug event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. It is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals and drug dealers letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Last year, nearly 1,000 people attended National Night Out in the Dayton City Park. Events were held in more than 15,000 communities in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out in 2013. National Night Out is a family-oriented, alcohol and smoke-free event.