The Metuchen and Edison police departments served as the host to the annual National Night Out events on Aug. 6.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live, according to information provided by the organization.
Metuchen held its event from 5-8 p.m. at the Metuchen Municipal Pool on Lake Avenue.
The event featured taking photos with the Metuchen police and fire departments, swimming, food, giveaways from local businesses and organizations, entertainment, K-9 Unit Demo, and games and prizes.
Sponsors of the event included borough services; Metuchen Municipal Alliance; Metuchen Police Benevolent Association Local No. 60; Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce; Metuchen Media; Metuchen Public Library; All State Insurance; Arthritis Foundation; Boy Scout Troop 14 of Metuchen; Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey; Creative Sound Entertainment; Home Depot of Edison; JFK-Hackensack Meridian; La Rosa Pizzeria; Leah’s Catering; Metuchen Branch YMCA; Metuchen High School Parent Teacher Organization; New Jersey Rescue and Recovery K9; photos by G. Brown; Satori Academy of Martial Arts; Title Boxing Club; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Wellspring Center for Prevention; Whole Foods Market; and Wisemind Center for Social and Emotional Learning.
Edison’s annual National Night Out event took place from 6–10:30 p.m. at Papaianni Park, across from the Edison Municipal Complex on Municipal Boulevard off Route 27.
Ahead of the event Mayor Thomas Lankey said, “Our National Night Out is a community-builder that strengthens camaraderie and fosters positive relationships between residents, police officers, firefighters and town employees.
“Events like this make our community a safer, more welcoming place to live,” he said.
The event featured a screening of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse;” a visit from “McGruff the Crime Dog” and his “Paw Patrol:; police and fire demonstrations; and information booths sponsored by the township recreation and health departments, the Clean Communities Program and local businesses and civic organizations.
Attendees also were able to enjoy free hotdogs, bottled water and Italian ice.
