ROCHESTER — Sprawled across the parking lot behind the Rochester Police Department were a range of police and law enforcement vehicles, all lined up for people to climb inside and explore.

The line-up was part of Rochester’s first ever Night Out event held on Tuesday, Aug. 13, as a way to bring the community, law enforcement and first responders together.

Every year, many towns in the area come together in Carver to celebrate National Night Out, which Detective Catherine Connolly called a “big to do.” This year, Rochester wanted to host a night of its own.

Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad explained that National Night Out is a yearly event created to celebrate law enforcement, first responders, and the work that they do.

He noted that there were agencies “from all over the place” at the event, including a SWAT truck and the Rochester Fire Department.

“It’s a great night to bring the community together and just have a good time and bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community,” Assad said.

Connolly estimated that the Carver event was about “a thousand times bigger” than Rochester Night Out, but noted that they had a good turnout for the event’s first year.

“We started off late with it, with it being our first year, didn’t get everybody, but it’s a good turnout for the first year,” Connolly said.

She noted that leading up to the event she was nervous because she wasn’t sure if there would be a good turnout.

“I didn’t expect it, but I’m really glad that we have such a huge turnout. [There’s] such a great community behind us,” she said.

Besides the emergency vehicles, there was also a dunk tank, which Assad sat in for about an hour.

“I think my fingers are still pruned,” he said.

Closing out the program was a K-9 demonstration featuring two police dogs to show audience members how the dogs can find items, such as a set of keys and a wallet, and how they catch people on the run.

Assad noted that the event wouldn’t have been possible if not for the Rochester Police Department’s newly formed community engagement team.

“I have to give team RPD a huge shout out for doing such a great job,” he said.

He noted, “We’re all in this together just to support each other and make sure that this is the best town to live in.”