Breckenridge Texan

The local community had a chance to meet local law enforcement officers, along with other first responders and representatives from helpful organizations and groups, at the annual National Night Out event, hosted by the Breckenridge Police Department last week.

“Elroy the Elk,” the mascot of the Elks Lodge’s Drug Awareness Program, greeted kids at Breckenridge’s National Night Out event last week. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Oct. 1 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. Some of the booths included Child ID fingerprinting by the BPD, information from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and Stephens County Crimestoppers, and other organizations. The Breckenridge Fire Department, Caddo Volunteer Fire Department, Hubbard Creek VFD, Wayland VFD and Sacred Cross EMS participated. “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.

The game warden for Stephens County had a booth showing taxidermied animals that had been killed illegally in Texas, including a bear. Other booths included the City of Breckenridge’s Animal Control Department, Stephens Memorial Hospital, the local Boy Scouts and more.

Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the 2024 National Night Out.

Families attending Breckenridge’s National Night Out had a chance to check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s trailer featuring taxidermied animals that have been killed illegally in Texas. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Police Capt. Jay Walker creates an ID card for 4-year-old Lily Speck, who was at National Night Out with her family. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)