As the propellers grew louder and Flight for Life came nearer, a massive crowd of parents and children ran to watch the helicopter land, then wait for a look inside. Flight for Life, along with numerous Fond du Lac police officers and firefighters, was present at the fairgrounds for National Night Out, an event celebrated around the world Aug. 2 that promotes police-community partnerships and collaboration to help make a city a safer place. Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb said that fighting crime in the area is a community-wide effort. Between the police departments' full-time and part-time employees, as well as volunteers, there are about 130 people spearheading the safety of a community of about 44,000 people. "We need the community to help be our eyes and ears," he said. National Night Out is a chance to teach the community how to be those eyes and ears, as well as a time to have fun with others. The event had a number of opportunities for kids, including the chance to sit in a police car and fire engine, and physical activities like a rock-climbing wall and bouncy houses. There were also numerous booths where kids and parents could meet police officers and representatives of other community organizations.