By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

With Thursday’s forecast calling for a daytime high temperature in the mid-90s in Hays, Police Chief Don Scheibler is expecting a good turnout for tonight’s fourth annual “Community Night Out.”

The event, 5-8 pm. Thursday at the Hays Aquatic Park, includes free admission to the swimming pool for everyone and free hot dogs and hamburgers to the first 1,000 people served up by Hays police officers. Free T-shirts will also be handed out.

It’s a way to show thanks to the community for their support of the police department, says Sgt. Chris Hancock, and it’s just as much fun for the officers as it is for the public.

“They enjoy it a lot. It helps to humanize police officers when you see them out of uniform,” Hancock said.

Attendees will also get to check out HPD patrol cars, the SSRT (Special Situation Response Team) van and some of the gear used by the police.

Many officers will be there with their families.

“Seeing us interact with our families makes it easier to relate to us later on if we have to help you out on a call,” Hancock said.

“Community Night Out” is sponsored by the city of Hays, Walmart, Hays Recreation Commission, Pepsi of Hays, Heartland Building Center, Fraternal Order of Police Hays Lodge 48, Phaze 2 and Nex-Tech.