MARLBORO COUNTY — Last Tuesday evening, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office [MCSO] and the Bennettsville Police Department [BPD] both held individual National Night Out events in an effort to foster lasting bonds within the communities they serve over an evening of shared fun, activities, delicious foods, and at the MCSO’s event, even a chance to dunk the sheriff!
Another MCSO Night Out, another success!
Held outside the sheriff’s office, the MCSO National Night Out featured bouncy castles, water slides, a dunking booth, complimentary food, vendors, door prizes, music and so much more. Despite the day’s soggy weather, the community turned out in record numbers for a chance to party with their local deputies.
“I want to thank our community as a whole for making this event the huge success that it was,” Sheriff Larry McNeil said, adding, “I loved seeing the community coming together and enjoying themselves— that was the goal.”
Attendees had several vendor options to choose from and Sheriff McNeil said he was proud to see so many different aspects of the community present in one location.
He said, “I am so thankful for everyone who reached out to partner with the sheriff’s office and have supported us in holding this event. The goal of National Night Out is to bridge gaps and strengthen relationships and partnerships in the communities we serve and protect, and I really feel we accomplished that goal.”
Chief Deputy Larry Turner says he agrees with the Sheriff, adding that he too was impressed with the turn out.
“It was great seeing our community turn out because that is what National Night Out is all about— building relationships with the community and learning how we can make it a better place for everyone to live,” Turner said.
Like Sheriff McNeil, Turner said he was very grateful for all the supporters and vendors involved in making the event special. He said, “Food Lion and Walmart are always huge supporters of our events. Having them, other businesses and individuals [too numerous to list!] come to our aid in the community is what this type of event is all about—building partnerships and working together as a community.”
Turner adds that the idea behind National Night Out in Marlboro County comes from Sheriff Larry McNeil.
“He started holding these when he took office four years ago. It was something that has been important to him since day one and we have all come to look forward to having this event every year,” Turner said. He added, “We view National Night Out as more than just a single event, it is an opportunity to bring our community together and support one another in meaningful ways. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors, community partners, and everyone who contributes to making this event a continued success.”
Kyle Williams, owner of Kyjo’s Corner inside Grandma’s Treasures, came to show his support for the MCSO.
He said, “I think it is important to give back to the community and to show people what can be done when we come together, especially for the kids. It was a great experience, I had a lot of fun and I got to dunk Sheriff Larry!”
Kyle said he was especially excited to be able to hand out over 200 snack bags in under two hours. “So many people came out and were so happy to just be out and with other people having fun.”
Kyle’s mom Brandi Williams says events like National Night Out are important to her because she believes in investing in relationships with all our first responders.
Williams said, “We have done that with Kyle and his friends ever since he was able to walk. It has been beneficial in that he is not scared when he sees a wreck, he instead prays over it, and he wasn’t scared when our house caught fire, he just said he was glad his friends came to help get it out.”
One thing Williams says makes her proud is the comfort she gets in knowing when trouble comes, Kyle not only knows who to call, he feels comfortable making that call.
“He is well aware of the people he can turn to in this community and it is because of the relationships we have built from the ground up with events like this community outreach.”
She suggests taking a tour of the police station or fire department.
“They love doing it and the kids and the adults will love it too,” says Williams.
BPD’s National Night Out: Strengthening community through unity
Held at the Bennettsville Community Center due to the evening’s rainy weather, the BPD National Night Out kicked off at 5 p.m., and the fun lasted until 7 p.m., because Tuesday is a school night after all.
“The Bennettsville Police Department proudly considers National Night Out 2026 a tremendous success,” BPD Chief Sammy Crosland said, adding, “Bringing together law enforcement, community partners, local organizations, and families for an evening centered on fellowship, unity, and community engagement. This year’s event reflected our ongoing commitment to building positive relationships between law enforcement and the citizens we proudly serve.”
Crosland said he is especially proud of the event’s turnout.
“Hundreds of community members came together to enjoy an evening filled with free school supplies, food, games, music, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Children and families have the opportunities to interact with police officers and a welcoming environment, helping strengthen trust and reinforce the importance of working together to create a safer community,” Crosland shared.
Tuesday’s event centered around family fun that included a live DJ, bounce houses, face painting, train rides, and community games. Complimentary hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, chips, and soft drinks were also served up throughout the evening. In addition to a night of free neighborhood fun, children were given book bags, school supplies, and other back-to-school giveaways to help start their school year off right.
Chief Crosland said numerous vendors and community organizations provided valuable professional services, educational resources, health information, and Community Assistance programs.
“Their participation demonstrated the collective commitment of our partners to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Bennettsville and Marlboro County. National Night Out is much more than a community event; it is a reminder that public safety is a shared responsibility. When law enforcement, businesses, community leaders, and residents come together with a common purpose, we build stronger relationships, encourage open communication, and foster a spirit of mutual respect,” Crosland said, adding he hopes if the community takes away anything from their National Night Out experiences with the BPD, it is that successful law enforcement means building partnerships.
He said, “The Bennettsville Police Department extended sincere appreciation to every sponsor, volunteer, bender, city employee, first responder, and community partner whose generosity and dedication made this event possible. Most importantly we think the citizens who attended and helped make the evening one of joy, fellowship, and community pride. Together, we demonstrated that Bennettsville is a community where Partnerships matter, neighbors support one another, and law enforcement remains committed to serving with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.”
Highlighting what National Night Out is all about, many community organizations and local agencies came out to show their support for the BPD and the Marlboro County community by providing resources, answering questions, and connecting residents with services available throughout the area during the event.
Vendors for the BPD’s 2026 National Night Out include Trinity Behavioral Care, CareSouth Carolina, Simply Blessed Strong Survivors, Sandhill Connections, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR), Scotland Memorial Hospital Hospice, Marlboro County Public Library, South Carolina First Steps, South Carolina Department of Social Services, Pee Dee Coalition, First Choice By Select Health, South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, Tiny Threads of Love, Girl Scouts, and North Eastern Technical College (NETC).
Update: *Kyjo’s Corner is no longer located inside Grandma’s Treasures*