It’s nearly time for the Sedona Police Department to fire up the grill for its Community Outreach Event at the Sedona Posse Grounds Hub, located at 525 Posse Ground Road, on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m.

“It was formerly known as ‘National Night Out’ in Sedona. It’s very similar, we just don’t do it in August, so we renamed it the ‘Community Outreach Event,'” SPD Chief Stephanie Foley said. “It’s basically a day where the PD has a lot of our resources, and other community partners and regional partners set up a table, and we invite the community to come out so we can spend some time together, ask questions, get resources, have some fun, eat some food and just spend time together.”

Free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and water will be served. A caricature artist and bevy of children’s activities are planned.

“This event brings organizations that work together to keep Sedona a safe place to live, work and visit,” the city stated. “Participating in the event are the Sedona Fire District, Coconino and Yavapai County emergency management teams, Verde Valley Search and Rescue, the Verde Valley Special Weapons and Tactics unit and more.”

Throughout the event there will be SWAT, K-9, drone, traffic stop and DUI demonstrations for attendees to get first-hand experience about how modern law enforcement operates day-to-day.

“I think it bridges the gap of understanding. It’s the one night that we’re going to be there you can come and ask questions,” Foley said. “We get to engage with us, and we get to engage with the public, where it’s not because we were called to something or we’re there for business, so to speak. This is a way that we can get together, meet kids and lessen the concern that sometimes people have about what law enforcement means.

“It just gives us an opportunity to be more personal with everybody and see our personalities.”

For more information about the Community Outreach Event contact SPD Cmdr. Heather Penner at 928-203-5169 or hpenner@sedonaaz.gov.