The Highland Greens Homeowners Association created excitement and awareness during its annual National Night Out Aug. 4th. Neighbors turned out with their favorite desserts on a cooler than expected evening to build neighborhood relations and generate awareness around safety and security issues in Maple Valley and their Highland Greens neighborhood.

The Highland Greens neighborhood was just one of several in Maple Valley and thousands throughout the country that joined together with local law enforcement and fire departments to build awareness concerning safety and security in their cities, streets and homes.

Members of the association were joined in the neighborhood by multitude of special guests. Maple Valley Mayor Laura Iddings and several members of the Maple Valley City Council talked with many of the residents on a variety of topics. A large contingent of the Junior Explorers was joined by the K-9 unit, King County Sheriff’s deputies, the SWAT unit and Maple Valley Police Chief Michelle Bennett.

Maple Valley Fire and Life members played four square and hopscotch with the neighborhood kids and showed off the fire truck.

“The fire truck was so cool,” said Joshua Hren.

Kendra Marstall said, “The SWAT vehicle was awesome.” Others enjoyed the stickers, coloring books, flashlights and fingerprint kits that were passed out by the association members and the law enforcement members.

Natalie Foster said, “It is important to be thinking about safety all the time.”

“It was a big night for the kids and the HOA,” said HOA Public Safety Chairwoman Lori Ripley. “We are grateful to have such a strong police and community partnership with elected leaders and public servants who really care about Maple Valley and the safety and security of its residents.” It was truly a big night in the Highland Greens neighborhood as part of National Night Out where building a bigger sense of community, together, for all of Maple Valley was a great thing.