Ben Zendeja, 12, perches in one of Kannapolis police department's all terrain vehicle, looking ready to hit the road. Emma Carson, 8, snuck in as a passenger. Zendejas said he might like to be a police officer some day, and his parents laughed and said ‘his favorite TV show is SWAT, so I think he probably would love it!’ Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes, left, speaks with Capt. PJ Smith and another officer at Tuesday's National Night Out at Bell Tower Green. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Kannapolis Master Police Officer Rob Carson and his wife, Leanne, enjoyed chatting with Barbara and Steve Coughlin, who just moved to nearby apartments in Kannapolis, temporarily, while waiting for their new home to be ready. "We so appreciate these officers and firefighters," said Steve Coughlin. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Ten-year-old Reagan Sydnor smiles a pink smile as she finishes a cherry Italian ice at Kannapolis' National Night Out Tuesday. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Town employees Terry Dawson, a transit driver, left, and Michael Buchanan, a code enforcement officer, took a momentary break from the tent where they'd been working to catch a bit of cool spray from the water Tuesday evening. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Four-month-old pup Rocky discovered a quick and easy way to beat Tuesday's heat and humidity - he plopped flat on the cool, wet concrete in front of Bell Tower Green's water wall. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Two-year-old Nyla Addison was determined to get her hands on the water springing up in front the water wall at Bell Tower Green. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post

Antonio Jackson tries his hand at ring toss Tuesday at Salisbury's National Night Out, saying the fun was not limited to his five children. Elisabeth Strillacci/Salisbury Post