Hot dogs, watermelon, salads, potato chips, ice cream, children's games, toys, tattoos and decorated tables filled with nourishment were all part of Tuesday’s Night To Unite festivities in Becker. Many neighborhood families stepped out in the heat and enjoyed a warm evening on street corners and at parks to show solidarity in their community.
Becker police and fire personnel manned their squad cars and trucks and rode through the city and townships with lights on and horns blaring.
At least five neighborhood gatherings transpired Tuesday as people gathered to stand up for each other, get to know each other and unite with police and fire personnel in community awareness to battle crime.
Becker police and fire held their annual gathering at Kolbinger Park and featured the wildly popular Fatal Vision goggles course, servings of refreshments and tours of the fire trucks and squad cars.
Under the supervision of local law enforcement, people are asked to put on the Fatal Vision goggles and drive the oval course with a police officer in the passenger seat. The course is drawn out on the grass and the drivers are instructed to turn, yield or come to a complete stop while navigating the route.
New City Council Member Todd Hanrahan decided to take a run on the course to get the experience first-hand. Council Member Tracy Bertram declined to don the goggles, explaining to Hanrahan she has already experienced the course and went off to talk to constituents and meet new people.
Kids received stickers, tattoos, frisbees, pens and dozens of Night to Unite paraphernalia from the Becker Police Dept. Families could enjoy fresh hot dogs off the grill that was fired up outside the pavillion while Julie and Lauren Baloun — along with Judy Bowatz — served the guests with plates, buns, utensils and fresh lemonade.
Mayor Lefty Kleis stopped by to visit people at the park after first spending some time in his own neighborhood — Autumn Ridge. Many people approached police and fire members and thanked them for their service.
The evening began for the law enforcement and fire members at Woodbriar where they visited with the elderly while they enjoyed a simple meal. From there, the groups headed to a neighborhood gathering on Monroe Street, then to a cul-de-sac in Autumn Ridge.
After a brief appearance there, they made their way to Kolbinger Park where the park was brimming with activity. The final trek was to 39th Avenue where another neighborhood gathering was taking place and people were able to meet and greet the men and women in uniform and inspect the trucks and vehicles.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, AAA of Minnesota/ Iowa and the Becker Police Dept., Night to Unite is designed to help celebrate and strengthen neighborhoods and communities through partnerships with residents, city officials and law enforcement.
