City of Lima participates in National Night Out

LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The City of Lima participated in the National Night Out to help make the community safer and bring people together. 

The city hosted a cookout at Lincoln Park where people could speak with city officials, police officers and firefighters.  

The event was part of a worldwide campaign to enhance community connections and the relations between law enforcement and their neighbors.  

Officers said the event helps break the ice between them and the rest of the community, and that it establishes connections that can help in emergency situations. 

"When we go out to do one of the services, whether it's a fire call, police call, or a city engineer going to fix a sewer in front, maybe the person that lives in that house might recognize the person there, and they know them now; there's a better relationship there," said Lt. Ben Thompson of the Lima Police Department.

"Maybe you're having a bad day, but you see John who works for the city, and it just becomes a better experience."

Officials with various organizations attended the event to promote their services and give handouts to attendees. Officials with Lima Memorial Health System said promoting community organizations is part of their mission. 

"A lot of these organizations aren't the most popular or most known organizations in the community, so giving them an opportunity and a platform to talk about what good they bring to our community opens eyes and gives people the ability to come in and see what they have offered to them in our community that they may not be aware of," said Rick Sanchez, chief of police for Lima Memorial Health System.

"That's what our goal is: to be informational and able to provide the services and provide the information that the community can use to create a healthier and safer community."

The event kicked off with a ProMedica helicopter landing in the park and the Lima Senior High School choir singing the national anthem.