For the Lehighton Police Department, Tuesday night was all about furthering its relationship with the community.

The department partnered with the Lehighton Downtown Initiative to hold National Night Out 2017 in the borough's upper park.Borough police Detective Matt Arner said the event gave the department a chance to work with the community on safety by giving tips on how to prevent becoming a victim of a crime."The goal is to connect police officers and other first responders with the community to show we're all on the same team, the same sides," Arner said. "The reason why we do this is we're building a relationship between us and the community."The Pennsylvania State Police K-9 Team hosted a meet and greet; there was free popcorn sponsored by Nationwide Insurance; and the Lehighton Historical Society, as well as the Local Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, were on hand.In addition, the social media-based activity known as Carbon County ROCKS!!! set up a table at the event.The activity revolves around kids and parents decorating rocks, posting a photo of themselves with their art and a clue of where they will hide it, and encouraging hunters to get out and find the little treasures.Larry and Mary Beth Kotch said they were happy they brought their two young children to the event."We wanted to let the kids see everything, see all the sights," Larry Kotch said.Likewise, Anna Howland appeared to be impressed with the event."The rocks are pretty cool," said Anna, 9, of Lehighton. "I like the firetruck, the dog is cute."A free movie, "Hoodwinked," was shown in the park at dusk.There was also fundraising for the Gower family, who tragically lost their 9-year-old daughter Vahnne when their Mahoning Township home went up in flames last month.Arner said the borough police department has been holding National Night Out for several years, and added they were the first in the county to have a National Night Out.National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnership and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.