From ice cream socials to picnics, some four-dozen Iowa cities are taking part in this year’s National Night Out, which in most communities is Tuesday night (8/6). Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Timmons talks about the National Night Out.

“This event is a community policing project. In today’s world, everybody thinks the police are out to get ’em. No, we’re not. We’re there to help you. We have a job to do and we try to do it the best that we can. This way, you guys can come out and see who we are.”

Sigourney is holding a National Night Out Tuesday night on the town square from 5 until 8pm.  Grinnell is also having an event from 6 to 8pm at Central Park with free ice cream, music and food vendors.  And kids can have their picture taken with McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog.