The following is an op-ed piece from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki.

Last week, we attended several community celebrations of National Night Out (NNO). This year marks the 40th annual National Night Out event celebrated nationwide in communities, towns, and cities.

NNO brings together law enforcement leaders and officers with community organizations to strengthen the relationships in the communities law enforcement serves. The goal of this event is to bring together various stakeholders in the community like police, fire, and other emergency services with the community to foster and strengthen a sense of community in each neighborhood.

The White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company on Philadelphia Road hosted a huge event with hundreds attending and barely a parking spot to be found. There were food trucks, games, and activities for the kids. Our Baltimore County Police, State Police and Transportation Police joined the fun in uniform, as well as our first responders.

We also stopped by the Perring Park Community event at Harford Hills Elementary School. Many families were there, along with the Baltimore County Police Parkville Precinct officers. We all had fun thanks to the Kona Ice snowball truck and pizza from Brickn Fire Pizza Co., and other great displays.

Events like NNO bring together families and law enforcement to create an effective community policing strategy that keeps us all safe. There is music, food, and fun activities for everyone at these events.

We thank everyone who worked hard to coordinate these events in Baltimore County, our State, and our nation. And thanks to all the law enforcement officers and first responders who also attended and made new friends.

Together, we can make our communities safer and support the brave men and women dedicated to our public safety.