Doraville comes together to celebrate National Night Out

by Travis Hudgons

Hundreds of people, mostly children, gathered in a Doraville shopping center parking lot to celebrate National Night Out. 

The family-friendly event provided an opportunity for the community, especially children, to interact positively with police. During the warm Aug. 7 evening, the children were entertained with an inflatable slide, boxing demonstrations, a police-manned dunk tank and other activities. 

“This is a way for the Police Department to repay our community,” said Capt. T.K. Gordan of the Doraville Police. Gordan said events like this help the community meet the police officers in a non-emergency setting.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. National Night Out help to build and strengthen the relationship between members of the community and law enforcement. 

Various cities in DeKalb County participated in National Night Out including Tucker, Clarkston and Doraville.

In addition to the Doraville Police, there were Representatives from the Georgia State Patrol, National Guard and local non-profits Smoke Free Atlanta, I Will Survive, Inc and I Care Atlanta, Inc community partners which Gordan described as a valuable resources.

“We’re very blessed in Doraville with the community support we have,” Gordan said. “These events help us to get Doraville’s diverse community together and have fun–and the kids love it.”