MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township residents were encouraged to get out and mingle with their neighbors with National Night Out held Aug. 1.

National Night Out is a national community-building campaign with the goal promote partnership between the community and police and fire departments in order to work together to make the neighborhoods safer.

For over 20 years, Meridian Township has been one of the thousand communities involved with the program.

Various neighborhoods and locations within the township put their own celebration for the event, such as barbecues and block parties, with visits from the police and fire department.

Meridian Township Resident Cindee Picklo has been hosting an ice cream social in her neighborhood for the past three years for National Night Out.

“It brings everyone out into the community,” Picklo said. “We get to know the new people and the kids have a blast. It’s all fun for everybody.”

The Meridian Township Fire Department Captain Bill Richardson has been participating in National Night Out for the past 18 years.

“It’s always been good to get into the community, talk to people, and meet people who have used our services and have been really appreciative of how good Meridian Township police and fire and EMS is,” Richardson said.