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Police Officers Promote Public Safety And Community Engagement Through National 'Night Out' Night

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police officers and neighborhood residents around the country joined forces Tuesday night to promote public safety and community engagement.

Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross said the national night out event is used as a tool to help bridge the gap between police and the people they work with.

"It gives them an opportunity to see officers in a different way, maybe different then what they hear about in school and on the news. It's a chance for us to try to develop some relationships with them at a young age."

James said he is really happy that he got an up close look at some police dogs. The young child said he is grateful for his officers in blue.

"They protect us," he said.

During the event Mayor Jim Kenney praised both the community and police officers for their efforts to try and work together.

"It's all good people coming together and showing the good people far outweigh the people who want to do bad things," Kenney said.

At the national night out party there was food, games, music and even a mini parade, featuring police officers and other first responders.

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