Night Out in the park – lebanonlocalnews.com

By Sarah BrownLebanon Local

Visitors flocked to Academy Square for Lebanons annual National Night Out on Aug. 2. It was the second year the Lebanon police and fire departments included a Robber Duck scavenger hunt for the kids. Fifty rubber duckies were hidden throughout the park; 49 were decorated in police attire, but whoever found the one dressed as a robber won a prize.

This was the first year National Night Out hosted a doughnut-eating contest as a fund raiser for Furniture Share. Lebanon police, Linn County deputies and community members raced to see who could consume a dozen doughnuts. Many dropped out of the competition early until David Noble was left for the win with only three donuts left. He earned bragging rights and a donut-mug-handcuff trophy. Two runners-up earned themselves a doughnut trophy.

Also at the event, the Optimist Club held a special dedication ceremony for Shawn Turrentine who passed away last year. A bench was placed in his name at the gazebo that Turrentine helped install, and a set of balloons were released in his memory.

The purpose of NNO, Community Policing Officer Dala Johnson said, is to bring law enforcement and the community together.

We are here to partner with the community, she said. We need to have that positive reinforcement from both sides. This is a way for our community to see the other side of our officers.

She proved her point by noting that Police Chief Frank Stevenson was seen scarfing down doughnuts and getting soaked in the dunk tank by children.

Doughnuts, ducks and dunk tanks

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Night Out in the park - lebanonlocalnews.com