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ALBANY, GA. -- Dougherty County law enforcement held their National Night Out campaign on Thursday at Radium Springs Middle School.

Officials say this is the largest turnout they've had in four years. There were so many people at the event that cars jammed the parking lot and lines stretched around the school.

Law enforcement was out in full force, but they weren't there on a service call. The men and women in uniform used it as an opportunity to make connections.

“It’s a national initiative to get the community out with first responders and kind of build some collaborations and partnerships,” said Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek.

All around you could find shaking hands with officials and introducing them to their kids. Little boys even stood in awe as officers lectured them on life lessons.

“It doesn't matter what walk of life we're in we're all in this together,” said Chief Don Cheek.

The event was a well rounded affair with free food and entertainment.

In addition to fun and games folks were also out here giving out here giving out school supplies and book bags.

The book bags came stocked with pencils, notebooks, folders, and other necessities for school. New Birth Fellowship Church gave out the supplies. They wanted to make sure each bag had at least one item needed for every grade.

"There are so many children that need the supplies the book bags and with the economy the way it is we felt that it would be a great idea,” said New Birth Fellowship Church Deaconess Jackie Johnson.

Officials say without banding together the national night out could not have happened.