Crescent City Police, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol will introduce themselves to local kids on Tuesday.

Part of the National Night Out event, which is nationwide, CCPD Chief Richard Griffin said he expects Crescent City Fire and Rescue, Del Norte Ambulance and the Del Norte Office of Emergency Services will also be there.

The event is for the community, but Griffin’s focus is on the kids.

“We don’t want them to see us for the first time when we’re arresting a relative or Mom and Dad,” he told the Wild Rivers Outpost. “It’s that, ‘We’re people too.’”

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign promoting police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, according to the organization’s website. Griffin said Pelican Bay State Prison will bring its CERT team for local families to meet.

Meanwhile there will be a backpack raffle — Griffin told the Outpost he has 12 backpacks with supplies ready to go. Fog Bank Clothing Company donated a couple of gift cards and there will also be hot dogs and hamburgers available.

“It’s a way to meet us prior to an emergency,” Griffin said.

National Night Out will be held from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday at Beachfront Park in Crescent City. For more information, call Officer Valero at (707) 464-2133.

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