Breckenridge Texan

Last week, Breckenridge joined 412 other communities around the state in celebrating National Night Out, an event hosted by the Breckenridge Police Department, the City of Breckenridge and other local first responders.

Breckenridge Police Capt. Jay Walker had a booth set up at National Night Out to create ID cards for kids. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Locally, the BPD, along with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Breckenridge Fire Department, Caddo Volunteer Fire Department, Wayland VFD, Hubbard Creek VFD, Sacred Cross Emergency Medical Services, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Dr. Goodall’s House, Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, City of Breckenridge’s Animal Control department, Breckenridge FFA, Breckenridge Independent School District and others, had booths in the parking lot of the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center, providing information to the community.

There were also free hot dogs and other snacks available.

National Night Out started 41 years ago near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by Matt Peskin, an outgrowth of the non-profit National Association of Town Watch he had established a few years earlier.

According to the National Night Out website, the event is an “annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

Millions of community members take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities in all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. Due to the summer heat, Texas and a few other areas have chosen to host their events on the first Tuesday in October.

Breckenridge’s first National Night Out was held in 2012.

Click here to the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the 2025 National Night Out.

Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach, left, and other SCSO officers and employees handed out information and stickers to families at National Night Out. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: The Breckenridge Fire Department and the local volunteer fire departments, along with Sacred Cross EMS and other organizations, were on hand at National Night Out to meet members of the community and share information about their work. Click here to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)