Seeing officers face to face in a cheery environment was a change for Dan Pusceddu, who usually only sees them helping people in car wrecks.

Tuesday’s National Night Out was a chance to put “a human face” on Issaquah’s police force, he said. “It’s a great idea.”

A few hundred people turned out for the police outreach event, which turned out to be an intimate community gathering that breathed a small-town feel.

A police officer grilled hotdogs, and visitors sat in the grass eating chips and soda, while police chief Paul Ayers made his rounds.

It was the third year the police department has decided to host the event at City Hall. In years past the force joined neighborhoods with the grills, but this gave officers from other agencies a chance to mingle with residents.

Wildlife services had animal pelts for curious kids to feel, while rangers from Lake Sammamish State Park gave out park pamphlets.

Just a quick stroll through the couple dozen booths, and kids could see uniforms of police, fire, army, rangers, sheriff’s deputies and troopers.

It’s a chance for kids to grow familiar with police officers in a positive light, said mother Morgan Noble. “We love to support police and firemen and all they do in the community.”

The community relationship is practical, too.

Police often rely on residents to speak up when they see something suspicious, said Sgt. Scott Trial. “We can’t be everywhere 24 hours a day.”

Jonah Titelbaum climbs out of an Issaquah Police themed box car at National Night Out on Aug. 2. CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah Reporter

Issaquah police officer Andrew Rohrbach grills hot dogs at the National Night Out event at Issaquah City Hall on Aug. 2. The police department was hoping to serve 700 of them at the community event. CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah Reporter