Families and friends gathered on Aug. 5 for South Jordan City’s annual Night Out Against Crime, a chance to meet local law enforcement and emergency service providers up close and personal. And there was plenty to see outside the Gary L. Whatcott Public Safety Building.

It began with the arrival of an AirMed helicopter from the University of Utah Health Department, always a crowd favorite. AirMed personnel were there to answer questions as visitors looked inside the chopper. It landed adjacent to numerous police vehicles and equipment, including a command post truck, a SWAT vehicle, motorbikes, a K9 truck (and later a demonstration), vehicles from DARE and VECC, South Jordan Fire Department vehicles including its tall ladder truck, and lots of demonstrations. Those demonstrations involved investigations, evidence, training, victim advocates and recruitment.

Drones were also on display, with demonstrations that evening. Adults and children could participate in seeing lots of equipment used by law enforcement and emergency service providers. There was even a dunk tank to give the public a chance at soaking volunteer officers.

City officials said the annual event helps promote police-community partnerships and makes the city safer and a more caring place to live and work.