ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) -St. Louis County police joined departments nationwide Tuesday for National Night Out - an annual effort to build safety through trust between officers and the neighbors they serve.

Jeremy Romo, commander of the North County Precinct, said the department can't be effective without community support.

 When they call 911, they're not having a good day, right?  Romo said.  Most of our interactions, unfortunately, with the public are when they might be experiencing the worst time of their life. So this is an opportunity for us to interact with the community in a positive way. 

In the city, people in the Botanical Heights neighborhood celebrated the officers who keep them safe.

 It's kind of a take back of the night, right? Feel safe in our neighborhoods and recognize the people that help us do that,  said Kimberly Mirkes, vice president of the Botanical Heights Neighborhood Association.

Burke Patrick, a founding member of the association and a former first responder himself, said comfortable relationships matter when lives are at stake.

 People don't understand the complexity of all the first responders,  Patrick said.  When we really need them, when it's important, and our lives are at stake, then we need them. And having a comfortable relationship with them is important. 

And in Fenton, Capt. Matt Pleviak said that the connection leads to a safer community.

 I think it's very important to establish a clear set of communication between us and our citizens,  Pleviak said.  Together we can help solve crime, help out with different issues in our community. 

From food and fun to relationship building, the night brought neighbors and officers a little closer together to keep St. Louis-area communities safe.

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