JACKSON— To the people tasked with protecting life and property across the nation, immediately helping citizens in need takes precedent over knowing everyone on a first-name basis.
However, on Aug. 2 the members of the Jackson Police Department will be trying to get to know people on a firstname basis as they host the community’s annual National Night Out Against Crime event.
“It’s all about opening the interaction between the people and the services,” said Sgt. John Convery, the man behind the event for the last few years. “There is a broad spectrum of services available, and we are here every day to serve.”
National Night Out Against Crime has been promoting an anti-drug and anti-crime message for 27 years while promoting local law enforcement and its duties to the people who are served by those agencies.
Thousands of communities, law enforcement agencies and military bases annually participate, each in its own way.
“What I like to do is run it as part block party and part informational event,” Convery said. “It gives us a chance to meet and greet the citizens, to show that we are out there and to teach them about the services we offer every day.”
Over the years, the event has seen steady numbers in terms of attendance. About 4,500 people attended last year.
“Unfortunately, one of our sponsors pulled out at the last minute last year and that really hurt our advertising,” Convery said. “This year, if the weather is nice, we could expect anywhere from 5,000 to 6,000 attendees.”
This year nine local sponsors, including Jackson PBA Local 168 and the Jackson fire companies, have made it possible for everything from hot dogs to raffles for iPods and bicycles to be offered for free.
Other sponsors include local businesses Custom Party Rentals, Jersey Rents and ShopRite on North County Line Road.
Activities planned for National Night Out include demonstrations of firefighting equipment and first aid equipment, live music and games for children. Representatives of various community organizations will be on hand to inform people about how they can get more involved in Jackson.
“I’ve never gotten anything but positive feedback,” Convery said of Jackson’s National Night Out event. “It’s one of those things where at the end of the night, I’ve got a bunch of smiling faces and happy people.”
National Night OutAgainst Crime will take place at the Jackson Plaza shopping center at North County Line and Cook roads from 6-9 p.m.
“In the end, it helps everybody — the citizens, the fire department, the police department, first aid services — and it’s our chance to say thank you for supporting us all year,” Convery said. “Atownship department without the support of its citizens is a lame duck of sorts.”