Members of the Bellefontaine Police Department, at the right, take on a tug-of-war challenge against a number of local children, at the left, Tuesday night, Aug. 1, during National Night Out festivities at Brown Park. While the youths put up a hard-fought battle, the police officers eventually bested the youngsters, at least in this pictured battle. Several other tug-of-war contests took place throughout the evening, which also featured grilled food, root beer floats, popcorn, face painting, balloon animals and many other games and prizes hosted by the BPD, Bellefontaine Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Mary Rutan Hospital and other supporters. The annual event celebrating safety, neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships and takes place in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Jacob Hawk, right, tries on a police department ballistics vest and hat Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, to check out the full weight of all of the gear that police officers wear each day while on duty. Assisting him at the National Night Out station at Brown Park is Bellefontaine Police Department Sgt. Andy Kennedy, left. About a minute later, Hawk said he was thankful to take off the heavy vest. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)