Police sponsor Night Out
on the town next week
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Residents will get a chance to meet local police and learn crime prevention techniques during the National Night Out event next Tuesday.
During the worldwide night out, residents lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the early evening outside with neighbors and police. East Brunswick has taken part in the event for several years, and this year there will be at least three block parties — in the Brookhilll Road, Pine Ridge Road and Carol Court areas — running from 6 to 9 p.m. in recognition of National Night Out.
The event’s goals are to increase residents’ awareness of crime and drug prevention, increase support and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen spirit and ties between neighbors. In addition, it is meant to send a message to criminals so they know the communities are united.
Patrolman Frank LoSacco of the East Brunswick Police Department’s Project 18 Community Policing Unit said there will be three groups visiting the involved neighborhoods Tuesday night. Each group will spend an hour in each of the neighborhoods. Mayor William Neary is also expected to visit with residents recognizing the event.
One group includes LoSacco, his partner, members of the community policing unit and possibly township officials. Also included is a magician who will entertain children.
LoSacco, who is part of the department’s bicycle patrol, will show residents the bike, how it is used and will discuss bicycle safety, as well as discussing other police equipment and work.
A second group will include members of the East Brunswick fire departments and rescue squad, he said, as well as perhaps other police officials.
"A lot of it is ‘show and tell’ stuff. A lot of people like to look at the fire truck and ambulance," he said.
The third group will include the department’s K9 unit, as well as township officials, LoSacco said. There will also be a vendor giving out free Italian ices.
LoSacco said one of the reasons East Brunswick is taking part in the event again is to increase participation in the township’s Neighborhood Watch groups.
"It’s very easy to start one," he said. "We go visit with [the neighbors] and explain what it’s about and how to set it up. Then we meet again and provide training. Then they’re pretty much self-sufficient unless they contact us for more training.
"It’s supposed to be an extra set of eyes and ears for a neighborhood," he said.
The 20th Annual National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, and is co-sponsored locally by East Brunswick Township and the East Brunswick Police Department.
More than 9,600 communities across the United States, Canada and U.S. territories will take part, as well as military bases around the world.
In all, more than 32 million people are expected to participate in the National Night Out.

