Public safety officials connect with kids, families at Menomonee Falls National Night Out

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Tuesday was National Night Out, a day for public safety services like police and fire to connect with the community and vice versa. 

In Menomonee Falls, firetrucks, tents and cars decorated Village Park. 

Kids and their families gathered around for good food and even better company. 

An officer from the Menomonee Falls Police Department says events like these are essential to maintaining trust and familiarity.

"That is the key to this," said Sgt. Matt Meinel. "We want to build that camaraderie, have them come up, interact with us, ask the questions that maybe they've always wanted to ask, get to know our names. That's what we are here to do."

Sgt. Meinel says the police department has been holding these events for the last few years and they've been a huge success.