Dilly bars are a hit at Safe City Night.

Sgt. Scott Kostohryz presents a basketball to a lucky young man. (Photos/ Kelly Kuntz. )

Moorhead Police Department volunteers Officer James Eggert, Det. Katie Schultz, Officer Lance Oelrich and Cadet Logan Schaurer.

Duane Kashmark of Scheels repairs a bike at Safe City Night at Robert Asp School.

Chief Chris Helmick congratulates a top picture colorer at Safe City Night.

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

Flashing lights, sirens … and Dilly Bars. Since Moorhead’s first responders began connecting with the community they serve four years ago, Safe City Nights have become a summer staple for families with curious kids in neighborhoods across the city, drawing hundreds to school grounds to meet some of Moorhead’s police officers, fire fighters and Sanford Ambulance medics.
On Wednesday, July 16, Moorheaders have their last chance of the summer to meet and greet – and get a treat – at the final Safe City Night of the season. It’s scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 at Queens Park, 3201 20th St. S. Previous events have been held at Robert Asp and Ellen Hopkins Elementary Schools.
The summer series got its start in 2022, when the Police Athletics and Activities League director, Sgt. Scott Kostohryz, put together what he dubbed Police in the Park on the grounds of Romkey Park. They served pizza and Dilly Bars – which have begun a tradition – and opened the doors to squad cars, explaining their equipment along with their services.
“We had been inspired by similar events we saw going on in St. Paul and Rochester,” he explains. “Our first event was really small in terms of what we offered, but it was very well attended. When we saw that crowd, then and there, we recognized that we’d found a way to connect with our community.”
That’s also when the Moorhead Police Department sergeant and his colleagues recognized that the brand-new event had the potential to grow. The Moorhead Fire Department joined them in 2023, followed by Moorhead Public Service. Then Sanford Health’s ambulances – an AirMed helicopter when available, four-wheeled vehicles when it’s not – joined the fun. Now the Minnesota State Patrol and Clay County Sheriff’s Department are also part of the evening, bringing the number of first responders to 18 or so.
In all, the parking lots at the appointed sites are crowded with police cars, fire engines, MPS trucks, the FM SWAT Bearcat vehicle, and even the Lake Agassiz Regional Library’s colorful Book Truck.
There are plenty of activities for children, ranging from a bike rodeo and coloring contest to a bounce house provided by Games to Go and the chance to aim a fire hose at real flames, courtesy of the fire department. Scheels Sports not only donates many of the door prized given away at 7:20 each evening, but provides a bicycle technician to repair their ailing two-wheelers. A new bicycle is awarded to the winner of the night’s prize drawing.
“If it wasn’t for Scheels, PAL couldn’t do half of what we do,” Kostohryz acknowledges. He also cites the generosity of the Moorhead Dairy Queen’s owners, Troy and Diane DeLeon, who donate thousands of “I Got Caught” coupons; children not only receive the free ice cream coupons at Safe City Night, but may receive one any day when an officer spots them wearing a helmet while riding their bikes. (They’re distributed to all law enforcement officers across Clay County.)
Gate City Bank and State Farm Insurance have helped sponsor the three summer nights, along with the city of Moorhead. “The city sees the value in what we’re doing,” Kostohryz says, adding, “The places where we buy our food and Gatorade also give us a good deal.”
Planning for this summer’s events began in February. Along with the sergeant, the committee includes Det. Katie Schultz, the Fire Department’s Mike Miller, community policing director Leighanna Secord, Parks and Rec director Sean Brandenberg, and city communications coordinator Kelly Kuntz.
“We have 2025-style problems, like every other city does,” Kostohryz reflects. “By making connections at events like Safe City Nights, we remind our community that we’re here to help them. It’s a good chance for the kids to feel comfortable talking to us and asking questions.
“And it doesn’t hurt sometimes to remind police officers of all the good people who live in our community. They’re why we do everything we do.”