National Night Out brings community together
Lights and sirens filled the evening air in central Breckenridge last Tuesday, but it was all for a good cause as law enforcement agencies, along with other first responders and local organizations, gathered for the National Night Out event, hosted by the Breckenridge Police Department.
The Oct. 3 event, held at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, is part of a nation- and state-wide campaign designed to promote “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.” Much of the country celebrates National Night Out in August, but Texas opts for an October event to avoid summer’s hottest temperatures.
In Breckenridge, the LEC parking lot and adjacent streets were filled with officers and their emergency equipment, giving families a behind-the-scenes look at the jobs the first responders do every day. Additionally, booths were set up to provide safety and other information to those attending the event. There were hot dogs and other treats, as well as all sorts of free trinkets.
“Elroy the Elk,” the mascot of the Elks Lodge’s Drug Awareness Program, was on-hand for pictures and to share information about the program.
Participating in this year’s NNO were the Breckenridge Police Department, Breckenridge Fire Department, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Volunteer Fire Department, Hubbard Creek VFD, Wayland VFD, Sacred Cross EMS, the Game Warden, Animal Control, Juvenile Probation, Air EVAC, Stephens Memorial Hospital, ResourceCare, Texas State Technical College, Elks Lodge and Break 180.
Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the 2023 National Night Out.
At the National Night Out on Oct. 3, kids had a chance to get an up-close look at the equipment the Breckenridge Police Department uses every day. Click here to see more photos. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Lights and sirens were a major part of the Breckenridge Police Department’s National Night Out event last week at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center as first responders displayed the equipment they use during emergency situations. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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The Breckenridge Texan, a non-profit news outlet serving Breckenridge and Stephens County, Texas, has launched its annual NewsMatch fundraising campaign, running through Dec. 31, 2024.
As a non-profit news outlet, the Breckenridge Texan depends on donations, in addition to ad sales, to fund daily operations, including website costs, freelance writers, and basic office expenses. The organization aims to raise $4,000, which could be tripled to $12,000 through various matching programs, including the NewsMatch program and the Rural Partner Fund, which is supported by several major foundations.
Founded in 2017 by journalists Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown, the Breckenridge Texan provides daily local news coverage, weekly newsletters, photo galleries, a community calendar, and obituaries. The outlet serves both local residents and people outside the community seeking information about Breckenridge and Stephens County, including potential new residents and businesses. They chose the non-profit structure to maintain local control of news coverage while minimizing the financial burden on the community.
In addition to regular news coverage, the Breckenridge Texan also offers:
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