National Night Out brings police, community together
Jul. 30—For more than three decades, the National Night Out program has brought police departments and communities together to enhance relationships through games, music, dance, crafts and other activities.
Now in its 38th year, several local towns will join thousands of municipalities across the country with similar events on Tuesday that are meant to showcase police in a peaceful atmosphere.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: More than 30 towns in Connecticut are participating in National Night Out, a community-building campaign that began in 1984 to enhance the relationship between residents and law enforcement.
WHEN: All towns celebrate the event on Tuesday.
TOWNS: East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Manchester, Somers, Suffield, Vernon, and Windsor are participating.
According to the campaign's website, National Night Out was introduced in 1984 through a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, and other volunteer organizations across the country.
The first celebration included 2.5 million people across 23 different states. Today, 16,000 communities in the U.S. participate, including more than 30 in Connecticut.
"This is another great opportunity to continue bringing the police and the community together," East Hartford Police Chief Scott Sansom said. "Last year's success has sparked this year's plan, where we will have two locations available for all to enjoy."
East Hartford's "traveling party" will take place at the towns two most populated parks. The event will begin at Gorman Park on May Road from 2 to 4 p.m. and continue at Martin Park on Burnside Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m.
This is East Hartford's sixth year participating in National Night Out. In the past, the town held the event at police headquarters, but construction and renovation of the Raymond Library has made the area unsafe for the celebration.
Each park will host similar games and activities, including corn hole and a bowling station, along with a visit from "Harris in Wonderland," who will show off his python.
East Hartford Public Information Officer Marc Caruso said the event gives residents a chance to talk with officers in a fun environment.
"They can ask questions to us, we can hang out with the kids and everyone just gets to see everybody and bridge that gap between the community and police," Caruso said.
Manchester will also host multiple events at different locations for National Night Out.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Leisure Labs at the Mahoney Rec Center on Cedar Street will host a Westside Community Block Party with music and chalk art.
From 6 to 8 p.m., residents can take a dip in the Waddell Pool on Broad Street, or join the Manchester Police Department at Charter Oak Park in the south end of town for a foot-golf tournament. To end the night, residents can head to Northwest Park off Tolland Turnpike for a movie and ice cream at 8 p.m.
National Night Out in Vernon will be hosted by the police department and the Vernon Community Network from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ladd & Hall parking lot, 20 E. Main St., in the downtown Rockville section of town.
"It allows people to come out, meet with the officers, share ideas, share concerns," Vernon Police Chief John Kelley said. "The ultimate goal is to make Vernon a better place to live, visit, and work."
Along with games, free food, a bounce house, and a COVID-19 booster clinic, residents can talk to police officers in an informal setting and obtain valuable information from community organizations.
In addition, Staples and other local businesses will provide free school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, and notebooks for local students.
"It's very important for people to get together, to be able to know what's available to them, to be able to meet, to be able to share a smile, and that is really a part of the whole fun of this," said Vernon Community Network Treasurer Tom Didio. "We're very thankful for the town for what they do to provide a space and everything they can do to help us make this event successful."
Enfield will host its second annual National Night Out event from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Town Green at 820 Enfield St.
After having a great turnout last year, the police department has been very active on social media requesting the assistance of the community, Community Police Officer Steven Austin said.
"It's an amazing opportunity for members of the community, various businesses, and groups to join together with the police department to create a sense of unity within the community," he said. "It's a very family-friendly oriented event where hopefully everybody has a safe and fun night together."
Multiple groups and businesses have given the town various crafts and games for everyone to enjoy.
Enfield is also planning to have a smoke trailer presentation from the fire department and a military vehicle, courtesy of the U.S. Army recruiting station, for its "touch-a-truck" event. There will also be drone and K9 police dog demonstrations.
Other local towns participating in National Night Out on Tuesday include East Windsor, Suffield, and Windsor.
For more information about the program, go to:
Collin covers East Windsor and Windsor Locks for the Journal Inquirer.
