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MONROE: Community unites during National Night Out

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — Community members came together Tuesday night as National Night Out celebrated its 29th anniversary this year.
   Sponsored by the National Town Watch Association, the annual event, which supports law enforcement and neighborhood anti-crime measures, was first introduced by the association in 1984, according to its website.
   According to the National Night Out website, about 37 million people in 15,500 communities including all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide took part in the event last year.
   National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime efforts, and to strengthen police-community partnerships, according to police.
   ”National Night Out is the one time during the year where residents get the opportunity to actually see all the different equipment and programs for emergency services that are available in our community,” said Mayor Richard Pucci in an email on Aug. 8. “It also gives residents, especially our children, the opportunity to speak directly with many of our police, fire, and first aid personnel. National Night Out has proven to be a very effective vehicle in educating the public about our emergency services.”
   Residents were able to participate in various activities from learning about drugs, to what it is like when someone is intoxicated, or seeing how fast they could run while being measured on radar.
   Children with bicycles and helmets were able to participate in the Bicycle Rodeo, an obstacle course designed to teach bicycle safety.
   Free food was available throughout the evening, as well as the chance to participate in carnival games, a bouncy house, prizes and giveaways.
   The Monroe Police, Municipal Service and Fire Departments had vehicles on display and also had activities for the public to participate in.
   ”National night out gives Monroe families an opportunity to meet our emergency service workers in a relaxed and fun environment,” said Councilman Leslie Koppel. “Kids climb in police cars, fire trucks and the ambulances. All the departments from recreation to the library set up displays and showcased the variety and depth of our programming.”
   Ms. Koppel recalled a time her daughter was taken to the hospital and the memory her daughter had of that experience.
   ”My daughter was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance when she was younger and she became afraid of them,” Ms. Koppel said. “This gave her a chance to get over her fear of by going back in (to the ambulance) on her own terms and learning about the equipment, and what it does.”
   Debbie Sosnak, of Monroe, was watching her son Sean, 11, checking out the police cars which, she said is something he really “loves.”
   ”I think this is really good,” Ms. Sosnak said regarding the event. She said that the family had just arrived at the event and was glad they could make it after soccer practice.
   Angie Rembisz, of East Brunswick, was enjoying the evening out with her family.
   ”I think this is a wonderful thing that they did to bring the out the residents and everything is free, and the kids are enjoying it,” Ms. Rembisz said.
   Ms. Rembisz said her kids enjoyed running as fast as they could, past the radar to see how fast they could go.
   ”My son did it a lot of times actually,” Ms. Rembisz said.
   Jamie Miller, of Spotswood, was trying the intoxication stimulation station where she had to put on a pair of goggles that were fogged up and walk the line.
   ”I thought when I was walking it, I was walking on the line,” Ms. Miller said. “When I took the glasses off, I was like three inches to the right of it. It’s good for everyone to come out and see what the community does.”