With an array of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances parked in front of Old Rochester Regional on Tuesday night passing drivers might have thought tragedy struck. Instead, kids and parents learned how tri-town emergency responders get the job done during the National Night Out Against Crime.

The nationwide event encourages police and fire departments to show those they serve how they operate.

"It's an opportunity for the Police Departments and the Fire Departments to interact with the community, let them see some of our equipment, and raise awareness of what we do," said Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons.

"It's been great," said Matthew Perry, who brought his children to the event. "It's a nice time to spend a few hours with the kids."

A popular attraction was a SWAT vehicle that officers had set up as an interactive display. Dennis Soucy's son Boden, 3, took the drivers' seat for a brief moment of "driving."

"I support anything that gets the kids aware of this stuff," said Dennis. "It's great, and [Boden] loves it."

In addition to the SWAT truck there were police cars, trucks, and SUVs on display, as well as fire trucks and emergency vehicles. Early in the evening, a State Police helicopter landed and impressed the crowd.

Not every display was geared towards children. Mattapoisett Police Officer Justin King ran a drunk driving simulation where adults could attempt to negotiate a turn in a golf cart while wearing "drunk goggles."

"We have really drunk goggles, buzzed goggles, and high goggles," said King. "I think maybe two [drivers] made it through without hitting the cones. The rest pretty much destroyed them."

JoAnne Andrews of Mattapoisett drove the cart using the "really drunk goggles." She ran over several cones and turned the cart around multiple times before reaching the end of the turn.

"That experience was very scary, actually," said Andrews. "I can't even imagine anybody drinking and driving, especially after that."

Liz Rich and her son RJ Murphy, 4, also attended the event.

"He's come out every time they've had it," said Rich. "He loves looking at the police cars and burning off some energy."

So what was RJ's favorite truck?

"I liked all of them," RJ said. "They were all my favorite."