SEBASTIAN – Despite the rain, thunder and lightning, dozens of Sebastian families attended the city’s National Night Out at Riverview Park Tuesday evening.
Crowds gathered at the exhibition area near the water to watch members of the Sebastian Police Department’s K-9 unit demonstrate the canines’ drug detection abilities, among other skills. One officer donned a heavily padded “arm” to show the gathered kids and their parents the sheer force behind the canine officers’ teeth and speed. The officers also showed off how well trained the dogs are. The officer sent the canine after the “suspect” and then called him off just before he reached the disguised officer.
Other activities at National Night Out included a child identification booth where parents could have their children fingerprinted and put in the system.
Vicki Mooney, of Sebastian, brought her two young children, Brandon and Christian, to the event specifically for the child ID booth, she said – that and, “my son loves dogs.”
Mooney also brought along her roommate’s two children so the kids could get out of the house and burn off some extra energy.
National Night Out is an annual nationwide event to promote solidarity within the participating communities by showing others that crime will not be tolerated. It also serves as a way for children and adults to interact with law enforcement officials in a positive environment.
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