With one last minute cancellation and an accompanying late addition, there were eight different ‘National Night Out’ gatherings scattered throughout Escalon on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The traditional caravan of police, fire, ambulance and city officials – from council members to public works and city hall staff – joined in the fun and made their way to a number of stops. Each included food, beverages, a chance for the adults to talk and a chance for the kids to meet emergency services personnel in a relaxed atmosphere, able to tour the fire and police vehicles.

The group started at Saron Lutheran Church on North Street at 6 p.m. and spent roughly 15 to 20 minutes at each stop. Those included visits to neighborhood events on Brayton, Mission, Jonathon Court, Colombard, Chablis and Thompson Way. Originally scheduled to start on Oakwood, that event was canceled and a group on Sophie Lane joined the ‘Night Out’ festivities late, but still enjoyed a last minute visit from a number of police department personnel, rounding out a successful evening.

The goal of National Night Out is to get neighbors out of their homes and in to the streets as they ‘take back the night’ from crime. It also gives a chance to visit with city personnel and emergency services workers, sharing food and conversation. It is observed across the country on the first Tuesday of August each year.

Along with tours of the emergency vehicle, youngsters also received a variety of giveaway items, from Frisbees to stickers and adult organizers of each neighborhood gathering received a National Night Out T-shirt and special recognition from the Escalon Police Department.