ALLEN COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) — The Allen County Sheriff's Office welcomed residents Tuesday evening for its eighth annual National Night Out, giving the community an up-close look at the people, equipment and specialized units that serve Allen County.
Every division of the sheriff's office participated in the event, offering demonstrations and displays of the tools deputies use in the field, including the department's new drone van.
The Perry Township Fire Department also displayed its fire trucks and giving children the opportunity to try their hand at the firehose. Kids also enjoyed bounce houses and an obstacle course created by the sheriff's office SWAT team.
Sheriff Matt Treglia said National Night Out is an opportunity to build relationships with the community while showing residents the many services the sheriff's office provides beyond routine patrol.
“You know, I believe the public thinks we just get in the car and drive around and write speeding tickets and that is not the case obviously. I think when you look around here and you see everything that we have, we have the bomb team over here, we have the dive team in the pond, we have the SWAT team, we have our detectives and our jail back here in the tent and now the new drones. It's just a really good thing for people to come out and see what we have and if they think they need it, they can call,” says Sheriff Matt Treglia, Allen County.
Attendees also received free food, popcorn and drinks courtesy of Texas Roadhouse and Rightway Foods, while Lima First Church provided additional family-friendly activities.
