National Night Out to foster better relations

People will be able to have a free barbecue meal, see a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter, win a raffle for a gun and help Havre Police officers solve a mock crime.

This and much more will take place at the Havre National Night Out, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, in front of the Student Union Building at Montana State University-Northern.

This is the third year the Havre Police Department has sponsored the event, which is designed to bring the community and police officers together.

"We like having the community talk to us as humans, and not just see us in our professional sense," said Ryan Pearson, the police department's community resource officer.

Last year, about 500 people attended, he said. The year before, there were about 350. Pearson said he hopes turnout will increase again this year.

Police agencies from throughout the Hi-Line will take part, he said, including Montana Highway Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, Hill County Sheriff's Officer, Hill County Search and Rescue, Havre Fire Department/EMS. Pearson said he hopes representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be able to attend.

Montana Army National Guard are expected to be on hand.

Last year, Border Patrol was unable to bring its A-Star Helicopter to the event, but it will return this year. Young people and their parents enjoy seeing the helicopter, which will be parked in the middle of the lawn.

BNSF Railway will bring its mini-train that has been popular with children at Festival Days for years, he said.

Two new Havre police cars will be on display.

Representatives of Buckle-Up Montana and the Court Appointed Special Advocates, called CASA, will be on hand to explain what they do.

The mock crime scene will have clues that may help participants determine what happened and how best to solve the crime, he said.

Food will be provided by Big Willie's Barbecue. There is no charge, but if people want to make donations, proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

Three hundred $20 tickets will be sold for the Have Police protective Association's fun raffle. Five guns will be raffled off. They include a Glock, a Howa Rifle Combo, a TC Venture, a Remington 870 Express and a Henry Golden Boy. The drawing will be at 7:30 p.m. People need not be present.

A Reaction Mountain Bike will be raffled off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 or five for $20. Proceeds will go to the Havre/Hill County Crime Stoppers.