National Night Out brings community together

On Oct. 7, residents gathered together at National Night Out in Vestavia Hills held at Shades Mountain Baptist Church. The event was hosted by the Vestavia Hills police and fire departments. Guests enjoyed barbecue, inflatables, a hot air balloon sponsored by Bama Breeze, a GameTruck, live music and a chance to view an assortment of public safety equipment, apparatuses and U.S. Military vehicles.

Each year, volunteers organize the event and choose a different issue in the community to address. This year’s theme was drug awareness. The event coincides with other drug awareness events across the community such as Leadership Vestavia Hills’ initiative, Help the Hills, and the Vestavia Hills High School volunteer drug testing.

At the event, the police department officially launched this year’s project called “All for One,” a program that will bring together the community, schools and VHPD and VHFD to bring drug prevention and education to the community and surrounding areas. Through community support and sponsors such as Two Men and a Truck and Sunoco, the Vestavia Hill Police Department has purchased drug drop-off boxes that will be placed at local area police departments.