Making strides: RPD’s National Night Out event ranks 14th in nation

December 31, 2019

by Josie Fox and Cristin Parker josie@thecherokeean.com

File photo
Citizens from all over Cherokee County enjoy burgers, games and more during a recent National Night Out event, held by Rusk Police Department.

Tuesday, Oct. 1 marked the third National Night Out event hosted in honor of the first responders in Rusk, and like the previous two years, was deemed a success. According to the National Association of Town Watch’s website, natw.org, NNO is “an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make all neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

Rusk won Rookie of the Year for their NNO event in 2017 and went on to place 20th in the nation for the 2018 event. For the event held in 2019, Rusk moved up in the ranks six notches by earning 14th in the nation for towns with a population between 5,000 and 15,000.

“In essence, this is the biggest community event of the year for the police department,” Rusk PD Chief Joe Williams said. “The Rusk Police Department takes seriously its commitment to providing professional police services to their community. Our citizens and business community are our customers and we want to show our appreciation during our NNO event.

“I am very proud of community and their response and the support they show the Rusk Police Department officers and first responders on NNO and throughout the year. Sergeant Nathan Acker did a great job chairing the event and made great strides to put on a good show. I want to thank all those that participated; the citizens, city officials, the downtown merchants and all those who donated items and their time to making it a successful event.”

RPD’s 2020 event is already shaping up to be bigger and better.

Anyone interested in donating funds to benefit the event can mail checks, made out to the Rusk Police Association, to the Rusk Police Department, 197 S. Main St., Rusk, TX 75785.

All donations are tax deductible.

RPD’s 2020 NNO event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6, on the square in downtown Rusk.