“National Night Out” events held across Midlands

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — From the Lexington Police Department, to the City of Columbia, hundreds of Midlands’ residents came out to celebrate “National Night Out.” “Just to come together to talk about ways to keep our community safe,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin described the annual event. At the Drew Wellness Center in Columbia’s Edgewood neighborhood, they handed out school supplies, served a hot dog dinner, and celebrated the opening of a new, two-mile-long bike boulevard running through the area. Mayor Benjamin told ABC Columbia his goal was to hit 16 different city parties. “We have a collective responsibility to making sure we have a safe city,” he says. Just a couple miles away, in the Elmwood Park neighborhood, residents gathered at Roy Lynch Park. “Socialize a bit, get to meet new folks that people might not have met before,” Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association president John Gibson said. In Lexington, the night out was about making law enforcement approachable. “It’s so important to build a rapport with the community with the police department,” Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall says. “Get right up next to our officers, talk to ’em, interact with ’em here. ” At the Gibson Pond Park, the Lexington Police Department served-up hot dogs, and hosted activities like canoeing and fishing.