National Night Out takes place this Tuesday, Aug. 1, and it’s an ideal opportunity for law enforcement everywhere to meet with members of the community they serve and protect.

While there are no official plans for such events in Franklin and Southampton County, in the past there have been informal neighborhood get-togethers. Perhaps that’s just as well. A relaxed setting is conducive to meeting the men and women in blue.

The Windsor Police, however, will host such an event at the headquarters on Windsor Boulevard starting at 5:30 p.m. Even first responders such as firefighters and EMT personnel are anticipated to attend.

Come out that afternoon and meet the people who do so much to ensure that you live in as secure an environment as possible. Because police cannot be everywhere at once, it’s up to each resident to also learn ways they can help prevent crime and thus avoid becoming a statistic.

We urge that your children be allowed to attend, so they can get to know that law enforcement officers and other first responders can be their friends in times of need or just in their neighborhoods.