The streets of Prescott saw a blend of community and law enforcement come together on National Night Out 2024, held at the Prescott Rodeo grounds on Tuesday. Despite the monsoonal interlude, crowds still gathered to engage with their local officers. According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office (YCSO), the event served as a platform to showcase the apparatus of safety—ranging from the K-9 deputy Gilbert Wakefield with his dog, Skye, to Search and Rescue units.

The event also aimed to proactively bolster community defenses by spotlighting the Neighborhood Watch program. This initiative enlists citizens as vigilant partners in safety, effectively transforming them into a network of "eyes and ears" for spotting suspicious activities that could unravel within their backyards. In a statement obtained by the YCSO, Sheriff David Rhodes touted this alliance as pivotal, urging residents to report possible crimes immediately so law enforcement can respond in a timely manner and take the necessary action.

Whether individuals were there to pet a police dog or to understand the inner workings of the DUI mobile command center, the National Night Out strove to foster relationships and also fortify neighborhood unity against potential adversity. Amidst the display of enforcement tools, information flowed freely on forming a Neighborhood Watch group. Contacts were handed out for those looking to make their streets safer, with YCSO Public Affairs taking the lead on providing resources for the initiation of these groups.

For the community members interested but unable to attend the event, the door to contribute remains widely open. They can reach out directly to YCSO Public Affairs at (928)554-8704 to learn how to actively start a watch group. They can always choose to call Silent Witness at 800-932-3232 for anonymous tips, YCSO's non-emergency line at (928)771-3260 for non-urgent reports, and as always, 911 for emergencies.