The chance to meet and interact with local police officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel brought residents of Howell and Jackson to the National Night Out events that were held in their communities on the evening of Aug. 1.
National Night Out is an annual community building campaign promoted by the National Association of Town Watch.
Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, who attended National Night Out in the Lanes Mill Marketplace, Route 9, with his son, called it “one of the biggest events we hold throughout the year.”
“It is the perfect opportunity to bring all segments of the community together, in one place, for everyone to enjoy on a beautiful summer evening,” the chief said.
Jaime Szyarto, the program coordinator for the Howell Police Athletic League, said National Night Out “turned out to be a great event as always.”
“We had a tremendous amount of returning vendors who always support community events, as well as a ton of new businesses that came out to support their community by setting up a table.
“Retired Sgt. Christopher Hill and I would like to thank all who participated in this event, which would not have been successful without all the help we received from the Howell Police Department, the Howell PBA, Target and the Goldenberg Group,” Szyarto said.
In Jackson, Lt. John Convery of the Jackson Police Department helped to coordinate National Night Out in the ShopRite parking lot at Jackson Plaza.
As he watched residents of all ages enjoying themselves, Convery called the event a “great opportunity for us to reach out and meet the public in a totally friendly environment.”
“It is really about bringing neighbors and neighborhoods together, basically bringing the community together,” Convery said. “We like to show people we have resources available in the community, not just police resources and fire resources, but anybody who can serve the public in any manner is welcome to come out” and share their information with residents.
National Night Out aims to promote a partnership between the police and the community to build neighborhood camaraderie and to bring back a “true sense of community,” according to the National Association of Town Watch.
Millions of people take part in National Night Out in thousands of communities across the nation, in U.S. territories and on military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August, according to the National Association of Town Watch.
On National Night Out, neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events featuring safety demonstrations, seminars, activities for children, and visits from emergency services personnel.
