Eagle County Sheriff Builds Hispanic Trust at National Night Out

Aspen —The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office is hosting National Night Out on Tuesday, aiming to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the residents they serve, with a specific focus on building trust within the Hispanic community.

Karina Toscano, the agency’s community liaison officer, said the event is designed to humanize the badge. It’s not about the sirens or the emergencies; it’s about the quiet moments before the radio crackles.

“To hear them tell it, the goal is to create trust, foster collaboration, and remind people that safety is a shared responsibility,” Toscano said. “Through family activities, resources, and time to hang out, National Night Out brings the people who serve the community closer to those who live in it.”

The concept isn’t new. It dates back to August 1984, when the National Neighborhood Watch Association launched the campaign to strengthen ties between neighborhoods and public safety agencies. The first night drew more than 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states.

But for many in Eagle County, especially those from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, the relationship with police has often been defined by fear or mistrust, carried over from experiences in their countries of origin. Toscano noted that this event is an attempt to break down those barriers.

“We usually only interact with public safety during an emergency,” Toscano said. “It’s hard to just chat or socialize. That’s where NNO comes in.”

Carol Macias, a police technician and fellow community liaison, said the event allows officers to step out of their uniforms and into the neighborhood. She wants residents to see them as people, not just functionaries of the law.

“Integrating into the community in a more relaxed way as sheriff’s deputies,” Macias said. “Sharing that, like the public, we are human beings who can have a good time, enjoy themselves, and share a bit of our work so they have a better understanding of what is done day to day.”

The event offers access to units locals rarely see up close. Last year, members of the Special Operations Unit (SOU) were on hand, letting children and teenagers handle some of their gear and learn about their specific roles.

“The public enjoys our presence, answering questions they usually don’t ask because they’re afraid,” Macias said.

The math holds up: when you remove the pressure of an emergency, people talk. When people talk, they listen. And when they listen, they start to trust.

Toscano said the hope is that these small interactions accumulate into a stronger, safer community. It’s a long game, played one conversation at a time.

“Because when we know each other, we support each other and work together, we build stronger, safer, and more integrated communities,” she said.