BOISE, Idaho — Communities across Idaho came together Tuesday for the annual National Night Out, hosting block parties in streets and parks to get to know neighbors and build trust between first responders and the neighborhoods they serve.

Ken Jenkins and his neighbors in West Boise have been organizing their National Night Out picnic for over 20 years.

"It's a really good community and it makes it a lot better place to live when you know who is on your left on your right and across the street," Jenkins said.

Jenkins says the annual event isn't just about neighbors meeting neighbors, though he did stress the importance of that. Over the years, residents have gotten to know many of the firefighters and first responders who serve their neighborhoods like Captain Josiah Ransom with Boise P

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