On October 2, the Clermont Police Department (CPD) will host its Annual 2018 National Night Out celebration. The event will be held at Waterfront Park at 100 3rd St, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
National Night Out is a free, family event that is designed to heighten drug awareness, crime prevention, generate support for and participation in local anticrime programs and create strong bonds and partnerships between the community and local law enforcement. National Night Out’s mission is to strengthen neighborhood spirit and camaraderie while sending a message to the criminals that our neighborhoods are organized and collectively taking a strong stance against crime.
This year, Clermont Police Department partnered with Lowe’s of Clermont to host the first JR. SWAT Course Challenge. Kids will have the opportunity to run a child -sized obstacle course, participate in tug-of-war with a police officer and get to meet SWAT officers. Monkey bars, balance beams and low-crawl courses are just a few of the obstacles on display for the challenge.
“Kids always look forward to meeting the SWAT officers at our events and ask what they need to do to become a SWAT officer,” said CPD SWAT Commander Lt. Brent Joyner. “This year they can actually participate in a JR. SWAT challenge to get an idea of what that may be like.”
CPD Community Policing unit is partnering with the Clermont Lowe’s, which is not only donating all the materials for the project, but their employees volunteered to build the course for the Police Department. “It was an extremely generous gesture for the kids of our community and we are very thankful for their willingness to partner with us,” Joyner said
This year’s event will include law enforcement and fire departments from throughout the county as well as several local and state agencies. There will be free food from local Clermont restaurants and a family fun zone with activities for the entire family to enjoy.
