MINT HILL, NC – The Mint Hill Police Department celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday, October 4, in the Urban Air parking lot.
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement by providing an opportunity to bring police and members of the community together under positive circumstances. In addition to numerous Mint Hill Police Department officers, representative from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices were in attendance to foster community relationships and provide information about what they do.
“We just came out to show our support and community with Mint Hill,” said Officer McCray from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Team. “We’re here to try to break down the barriers and the gaps, to show a police presence in the community, and that police have a fun side as well!”
Several other nonprofit and for-profit organizations that serve the community were present to make sure Mint Hill’s residents know what they have to offer. Tabitha from Safe Alliance, a domestic violence, sexual assault and child maltreatment program serving Mecklenburg county, helped people understand the range of services the nonprofit provides. Representatives from EXP Realty and Movement Mortgage answered questions for potential first time homeowners as well as those eager to sell.
Alliance Health, the managed care organization for public behavioral health care in Mecklenburg County, attended to make sure everyone knows about the resources Alliance offers to the county. “We manage the behavioral health services for intellectual and developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and individuals with severe and persistent mental disabilities,” explained Chris McCullough. Alliance is the only MCO in Mecklenburg County that will represent the Tailored Medicaid Plan, which is set to launch in December.
There were also representatives from organizations that help keep kids healthy and active in body and mind. Cub Scouts Pack 144 welcomed boys from kindergarten to 5th grade to check out their group on Monday nights at Blair Road UMC. Chris and Susan from the Mint Hill Library talked up programs for kids of all ages, from STEAM programs and Pajama Story Time for young children to mock interviews, chess club and a bi-weekly, virtual Call of Cthulhu role playing program for teens. MATI karate advertised the new martial arts program they’re bringing for kids ages four through fifth grade to Checkmat, NC.
“This is a new karate program for this location,” explained Glenn Carder, owner of MATI Clubs, LLC. “What Checkmat offers now is Brazilian jiu jitsu which is, in layman’s terms, wrestling. This is martial arts, karate – punches, blocks, strikes, kicks – that’s what we do. We’re big into focus and being a good citizens and being kind and doing the right thing in school, doing your best – all those different factors we integrate into our karate program. It’s more than just kicks and punches.”
But above all, National Night Out is about getting out and having fun. The Independence High School Cheerleading Team pumped up the crowed with a series of routines, and local celebrities from reigning Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant winners to representatives from the Board of Commissioners mingled with the crowd. Urban Air offered every guest a chance to “spin the wheel” and win prizes ranging from Urban Air swag to a Family Package including ultimate passes, pizza and water for four. Urban Air also kept the crowd fed with free hot dogs and popcorn. Butta’s 360 photo booth, where up to four people at a time could record a fun 360-degree video, was a big hit. Overall, Mint Hill’s National Night Out 2022 was a huge success in bringing the community together!
