A favorite summer event for many Marysville residents is National Night Out. This fun, free nationwide event now in its 36th year takes place on Aug. 6.

In Marysville, stop by Jennings Park between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. to talk to Marysville police and fire personnel. Children can peek inside and climb on law enforcement vehicles, and people of all ages love to watch the Marysville Police K-9 demonstrations. We’ll have free hot dogs, popsicles and Neighborhood Watch information. The city sponsors the event to help you get to know your local officers and your neighbors because when we all look out for each other, our community is safer. Last month Police Chief Rick Smith and I were invited to join a neighborhood meeting at Glenwood Mobile Estates. Of special interest was Smith’s report that police have driven down crime by an amazing 33% since 2015. Burglaries are down almost 44% and vehicle thefts 26%. In addition to traditional policing, the Marysville Police Department offers education, public safety information and community outreach. Last month they presented the third annual Youth Academy, a weeklong summer program that gives high school students an up-close look at police work. I was inspired by the personal stories and enthusiasm of our Marysville youth and their connection with the School Resource Officers who present the program. The SROs work in Marysville middle and high schools during the school year and patrol parks and neighborhoods on bikes in the summer. This fall they will present an encore program of the anti-bullying and suicide awareness programs they first brought to Marysville in 2017. Several times a year the department offers “Coffee with a Cop,” an informal way to get to know your local officers and ask questions about policing. Look for an announcement of the next one on the city website and our Facebook pages.

Jon Nehring is the mayor of Marysville. His column runs monthly.