In Key West, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Key West Police, firefighters, paramedics, military personnel and community partners hosted a free National Night Out event at Truman Waterfront Park. The goal of National Night Out is to bring the community together to discuss how we can all make our neighborhoods cleaner, safe and more secure. Community members also received guidance on heightening their crime prevention awareness.
Photos by Larry Blackburn/Keys Weekly
In Marathon, the grills were fired up, the lights were flashing and kids were in heaven for National Night Out on Aug. 4. The annual showcase of first responders and their tech, along with nonprofit partners, filled the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office aviation hangar at the Marathon International Airport. Little ones played games, met friendly K-9 units, munched on food from Centennial Bank and the American Legion, tried on bomb squad suits, and even looked to the skies for a flyover by a Trauma Star helicopter. The annual event brings families face-to-face with those protecting their communities to instill goodwill, conversation and cooperation with law enforcement. Four events were held throughout the Florida Keys on the same evening.
Photos by Natalie Danko/Keys Weekly
In the Upper Keys, sheriff’s vehicles, fire trucks, Coast Guard boats, tents and more filled Key Largo Community Park and Islamorada’s Founders Park for National Night Out. An evening dedicated to connecting the community with local first responders, the events in the Upper Keys allowed young tykes the chance to step inside a Trauma Star helicopter and view equipment used by the sheriff’s office’s dive and SWAT teams. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation brought little alligators for the kids to see and touch, while Key Largo Fire Rescue put kids in uniform and showed them how they train. Community nonprofits were also on hand to share their mission and services. Barbecue food was dished out to the community courtesy of Key Largo Rotary and Islamorada Fire Rescue.
Joey Weaver, 6, throws a heaving line used by the United States Coast Guard to grab tow vessels during National Night Out at Founders Park in Islamorada. Photos by DOUG Finger/Keys Weekly 
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay does an interview during National Night Out at Founders Park in Islamorada. 
Sara Read, educational outreach coordinator for the Wild Bird Sanctuary, shows kids Captain the Corn Snake during National Night Out at Founders Park in Islamorada. 
Monroe County Fire Rescue Flight Paramedic Liz Komoroski waves to Clayton Dickerson, 2, as he tours a Trauma Star helicopter during National Night Out at Founders Park in Islamorada. 
Young attendees at National Night Out in Key Largo. Photos by Cindy Smith/Contributed Bomb squad equipment on display at National Night Out in Key Largo. 
Members of the sheriff’s office and Publix at National Night Out in Key Largo. A young kid enters the life of a firefighter during National Night Out in Key Largo.
