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A law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Protective Services speaks to family members about K9 officers during the post's National Night Out celebration held Aug. 4 at Patriots Park. Multiple law enforcement agencies were on hand at Fort Jackson's event.
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A deputy with the Richland County Sheriff's Department talks to a child about going into a bounce house during the post's National Night Out celebration held Aug. 4 at Patriots Park.
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A Soldier speaks to a group about wellness during the Defending Wellness event held with the 2026 National Night Out at Patriots Park, Aug. 4, 2026.
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Greg Cunningham, a ranger with the U.S. Forest Service talked to family members about being safe with in National Forests. Cunningham was part of the Defending Wellness event held in conjunction with the 2026 National Night Out celebration at Fort Jackson's Patriots Park, Aug. 4, 2026.
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A Soldier and his Family interact with a representative of the U.S. Forest Service during Defending Wellness held along with the National Night Out celebration at Fort Jackson's Patriots Park, Aug. 4, 2026.. Defending Wellness was held as part of National Wellness Month.
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A family member navigates his way through an obstacle course wearing goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol during Fort Jackson's National Night Out celebration, Aug. 4. National Night Out is held each year on the first Tuesday of August and is aimed at bringing law enforcement closer to the communities they protect.
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Patrons speak to members of Fort Jackson's Army Community Service during Defending Wellness an event held alongside National Night Out at Patriots Park on post, Aug. 4, 2026.
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Family members listen to a talk about gun safety during Fort Jackson's National Night Out celebration held Aug. 4, 2026 at Patriots Park on post.
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A law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Protective Services speaks to family members about K9 officers during the post's National Night Out celebration held Aug. 4 at Patriots Park. Multiple law enforcement agencies were on hand at Fort Jackson's event.
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Maj. Joseph Shannonhouse, Fort Jackson's acting chief of police, speaks abotu the importance of National Night Out. He also asked the public to help law enforcement protect the community.
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McGruff the Crime Dog speaks to family members during National Night Out held at Fort Jackson's Patriots Park, Aug. 4, 2026.
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Family members and representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Columbia Field Office talk during Fort Jackson's National Night Out event held Aug. 4, 2026 at Patriots Park on post. The event brought together law enforcement agencies from across the Greater Columbia, S.C. area together to meet the community they protect.
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A member of Fort Jackson's Directorate of Emergency Services shows a family the equipment used to train military working dogs during National Night Out held Aug. 4, 2026 at Patriots Park on post.
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Fort Jackson joined thousands of communities across the country for a National Night Out, Aug. 4.
National Night Out is about law enforcement getting to know the communities they police face-to-face.
“As law enforcement officers, most of the time you see us is because you are having a tough day, or someone’s in trouble,” said Maj. Joseph Shannonhouse, Fort Jackson’s acting police chief. “We show up at your doorstep, ask a bunch of questions. We pull you over on the side of the road and tell you a bunch of things you’ve done wrong.”
But this night is different.
“Tonight is about stepping out of the patrol car,” Shannonhouse added. “It’s about taking off our tactical gear, taking off our vest, looking each other in the eyes, shaking hands, cracking a few jokes and share a hot dog.”
National Night Out began as a way to make communities safer by empowering residents to work together with their local law enforcement agencies.
The annual event is part of is part of “a national-level community building campaign to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said John Hughes, director of Fort Jackson’s Directorate of Emergency Services.
Shannonhouse elaborated further on that sentiment.
“We, Fort Jackson Police and law enforcement, we want our children to know that the officers in blue, the firefighters in red, and the (military policemen) in uniform are their friends, their neighbors, and their protectors,” Shannonhouse added.
The event began with a parade of emergency vehicles through the housing areas. It culminated with community members being able to interact with law enforcement personnel from Fort Jackson and the Greater Columbia, South Carolina area.
There were also booths promoting healthy living as part of Defending Wellness, a part of National Wellness Month.
“Keeping Fort Jackson safe is not a solo mission,” Shannonhouse said. “It’s a massive team effort.”
He asked the community to remain vigilant and if they “See something, Say something.”
(Editor’s note: There will be a virtual symposium Aug. 11 as part of National Wellness Month from 9-11 a.m. at the 1917 Club and streamed on Fort Jackson social media sites.)
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