Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Jeffrey Tucker, 13, of Mineral Ridge, left, gets a fire hat from Niles firefighter Jacob Sigley at the National Night Out Tuesday at Eastwood Field in Niles. Niles police and fire were among those who met with families. The event ended early because of severe weather.

NILES — Wanting to provide an opportunity for the public to get to meet local safety forces, the Niles police and fire departments hosted a National Night Out Tuesday at Eastwood Field.

The event was able to kick off with a police dog demonstration, drone demonstration and exhibits of police and fire equipment and vehicles, but the plans soon changed as a severe thunderstorm with strong winds and lightning put an end to the family event.

A loud male voice on the public address system announced that the event was ending and urged people to get to their vehicles. Soon after, loud weather sirens could be heard in Niles and strong winds began to blow.

Also at the Niles event were first responders from Howland, Weathersfield and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office.

Several other National Night Out events were canceled because of the weather. The Liberty Night Out event has been rescheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. today at the high school football stadium. That event will include a parade, car show, games, music and fireworks.

Niles Police Capt. John Marshall said because of the weather, there was no other choice but to end the event for public safety.

“National Night Out is a nationally scheduled event and we wanted to be part of this. This lets the community come out and meet with and interact with police and fire. They can see what we do and ask us questions. This shows people we are approachable. The public is the reason we are here,” Marshall said.

He said this was the first year the event was at Eastwood Field. In previous years, it was at the Royal Mall Apartment Complex.

Marshall said there are many people who do not have the chance to meet police officers and other safety forces.

He does not think the Niles event will be rescheduled.

Police officer Jennifer Young, vice president of the Niles Fraternal Order of Police, said it is always nice to interact with the public and show what police officers do.

“The community enjoys getting to meet the first responders. People can get to know the faces of the first responders they see in the community. They see our officers in the schools and at community events,” Young said.

Niles resident Dorothy Reppy brought her daughters, Sophia, 6, and Olivia, 3, to the event.

“They had fun meeting the police officers and firefighters,” Dorothy Reppy said.

Children who attended the event received many takeaways, including firefighter hats and police badges.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, according to the National Night Out’s website.