NEDERLAND - On a cool Tuesday evening, August 5, 2025, if you were lucky enough to have wandered by Chipeta Park you may have found yourself enticed by the aroma of burgers on the grill and the sight of an officer trotting on horseback. Or perhaps you would see a fire truck’s ladder stretching 30 feet into the air.

These were signs of the National Night Out event, the annual campaign that takes place in thousands of communities across the whole country, with this year’s being the first to be hosted by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). 

The mission of National Night Out and of BCSO is to promote “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.”

Sergeant Jennifer Mendez and the deputies who have signed on to protect us up here in the mountains proved that they take on the Night Out’s mission with commitment and joy.

They went all out in providing fun games and prizes, educational demonstrations on sophisticated law enforcement equipment (such as BCSO’s Mobile Command Post), and once-in-a-lifetime meet-and-greets with some of the County’s hardest working animals. 

Deputy Josh Scrudder was there with his partner Watson, the Bloodhound, a tracking and cadaver recovery expert who was transfixed by the sight and smell of what he could only have imagined was a very large dog, but was, in fact, a horse. 

That very horse, Marengo, was one of the heroes from Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue, who provide aid to teams of rescue professionals like Amber Kiilehua and Meg Bacon in the County’s many backcountry search and rescue missions.

Tina Currin and Sarah Andrews from Boulder County Parks and Open Space set up a safe, portable campfire on the sand of Chipeta Park’s playground and made classic S’mores with the kids.

Just beyond the playground, under the pavilion, members of the Nederland Fire Department (NFD) expertly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the community. 

The Boulder Office of Disaster Management was there as well, providing charge packs for mobile devices and other items and information useful in the event of an emergency.

BCSO displayed information about organizations and programs helpful to law enforcement endeavors. These included the Friends of Boulder County Sheriff’s K9 Association, who assist retired K9 officers; and the Victim Assistance Program, which helps victims of crime and trauma by providing on-scene advocates and continued outreach and support. 

As a fragrant smoke crept across Nederland’s sky, it served to remind those in attendance of the stark reality that both separates and connects the community to our local law enforcement and firefighters. It showed us why the National Night Out’s mission is so important. 

A very special thanks to those first responders from BCSO and NFD whose work and dedication helps keep Nederland safe.

For more information on BCSO’s Victim Assistance Program, call 303-441-3656; email SheriffVictimAssistance@bouldercounty.gov; or visit: https://bouldercounty.gov/safety/victim/victim-assistance/ .