National Night out in Jim Thorpe was held Tuesday at Memorial Park, and the event brought in hundreds of people from all over the area.

The main purpose of National Night Out is to promote a partnership between the local community and the police department. Jim Thorpe police Chief Joseph Schatz was happy with the turnout.

“I think this was one of our biggest turnouts that we’ve had in a long time,” Schatz said. “Between the community, the police, and fire department, it’s like a big community picnic.”

The Jim Thorpe Police Department raffled off a large number of gift items and had T-shirts for the kids.

In addition to the police, fire departments from Jim Thorpe, Lake Harmony, Penn Forest Township, and Albrightsville had a variety of fire trucks on display and offered tours for the children.

Food vendors offered pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, burgers, fries, and plenty of drinks.

Many local and regional businesses, nonprofit organizations and service organizations had tables set up to inform the community of the services they offer.

Groups like the Guardian Angel Recovery House of Luzerne County and shirts and information on their organization.

Jim Thorpe Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts had snacks and drinks.

The Jim Thorpe Lions Club had their live human “Lions Slots” game. Children played for free and got prizes.

The Lions also had their KidSight camera gear set up to offer free eyesight screen for children, in an effort to help catch vision problems early.

Other groups included St. Luke’s Physical Therapy Department, PathStone, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Development Services, the Mauch Chunk Trust Company and more.

“When I came on board in 2010, we were all about trying to get our community and police department together,” Schatz said.

“This is now my 15th year as chief, and I think we’ve accomplished it.

“The community, the police, the fire departments, our volunteers, all coming together for one common cause, for the good of Jim Thorpe and of Carbon County.”