Tasker Park was filled with families Tuesday evening as Southold Police Department’s annual National Night Out took advantage of beautiful weather, a bouncy house, hot dogs and hamburgers, face painting, games and a dunk tank to strengthen relationships between police officers and the community they serve.

“Unfortunately, it’s not often that we get to do this and have children interact with police officers in a setting like this,” said Southold Police Chief Steve Grattan.

“So we want kids to be able to approach us and get to know us, as well as other folks within the community. It’s useful for relationship-building and trust-building.”

National Night Out is an annual event that brings police officers and the community together in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Held on the first Tuesday in August, it gives residents a chance to meet the officers who serve their neighborhoods while enjoying food, games and activities. The goal is to build trust and encourage open communication outside of emergencies.