VALENTINE, Neb. - Do you know the police officers who serve your community? Knowing them can make reporting a crime more comfortable and effective. That’s one of the goals behind National Night Out events, which are taking place across the country over the next couple of weeks. 

Seven-year-old Juliette Arganbright was having so much fun learning about furs and animals at Valentine's Night Out that she didn’t even realize she was mingling with law enforcement.

“I could sleep with this. I’d love to," Arganbright said touching a bobcat fur that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services was displaying.

“Well, you can hunt bobcat around here," a U.S. Fish and Wildlife official told her.

Arganbright was one of dozens of kids taking part in Valentine’s National Night Out. Law enforcement across the country hold events like this with the hope of building positive relationships with community members.

“It’s a great opportunity for our community to see first responders in a positive light that’s not an emergency. They’re not scared. It’s just a chance to come out and mingle with us. Get to know us by our first name,” Valentine Police Chief Dana Miller said.

In addition to police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and conservation officers, local healthcare agencies, like Cherry County Hospital, participated in the party.

“If we know them outside of work, it definitely helps. It makes it better for everyone involved,” Cherry County Specialty Clinic Manager Madeline Schmidt said.

The weather did cause the event to be cut short. There were supposed to be pool games, including a law enforcement challenge.

Still, Arganbright was all smiles, and it appeared that she made some unexpected new friends in law enforcement.

“What do you think that one is?” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife official asked Arganbright.

“It’s a river otter," Arganbright replied.

"Very good," the U.S. Fish and Wildlife official said.