Khloe Leach, a fourth-grader from Montesano, flips a burger under the watchful eyes of her father, Jeremy, on Tuesday during a National Night Out block party at their house on Bender Lane in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

About 400 people visited the National Night Out event Tuesday in Elma. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

Ashlea Jenkins, a fourth-grader from Montesano, performs an aerial Tuesday in her neighbor’s yard on River Street in Montesano. Her family was hosting a National Night Out block party, one of at least four in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

Ashlea Jenkins, a fourth-grader from Montesano, lands an aerial Tuesday in her neighbor’s yard on River Street in Montesano. Her family was hosting a National Night Out block party, one of at least four in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

Ashlin Wyatt, a fifth-grader from Elma, gets a cotton candy from Haylie Weagner, a firefighter and emergency medical technician from Fire District No. 5, at Tuesday’s National Night Out celebration in Elma, while fellow firefighter/EMT Jody Coon (second from right) prepares the next treat. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Service)

Police Chief Susan Shultz said about 400 people attended the National Night Out event Tuesday in Elma. Her department co-hosted the community party. Attendees got free food and refreshments. Bounce houses were a popular draw, along with Sparky, the fire dog, and Elma High School mascot. The National Night Out is a nationwide effort by the National Association of Town Watch for block parties to help “strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships” and to “heighten crime prevention” efforts. Representatives from the Elma Fire Department, Fire District No. 5 and other safety agencies also attended the event. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Service)