Princeton Police Lt. Rob Toole was a tempting target for the children waiting on line Tuesday to get their chance to sned the police officer into a dunk tank.
”Looks like she might get me wet,” he said about one little girl who came to participate in Princeton Community Night Out at the municipal swimming pool.
It was that kind of friendly police-community interaction that authorities were looking for at an event that seeks to heighten crime awareness and strengthen ties between the public and law enforcement.
National Night Out, now in its 29th year nationwide, was celebrated around Mercer County Tuesday in places such as West Windsor, Plainsboro and Lawrence with events meant to bring the police and the public together in a non-threatening setting.
At the Princeton pool, children could try scaling a climbing wall, get behind the wheel of a fire truck or see what the back of an ambulance looks like. A DJ played music into the night, while adults and children alike munched on free hot dogs.
”Something nice for the kids to do,” said township woman SoYoung Bethea-Bullock as she watched her son, Torynz, try to get up the climbing wall.
Aside from the entertainment, 10 information tables were set up with representatives from community organizations such as the Corner House, an organization that works with local youth. Gary J. De Blasio, executive director of Corner House, said Tuesday’s event provides “visibility about the programs we are doing.”
This year marked the first in which the township and borough police departments had a combined Night Out event. About 20 officers from the departments volunteered to participate, said township police Sgt. Fred Williams, event organizer.
This marked the seventh Night Out the township has had, always at the pool because it is a “natural place” for the event, Williams said. Attendance at past Night Out events has topped more than 1,500 people, Williams said.
”The pool is a big draw,” said Vikki Caines, customer services supervisor with the Recreation Department.
During the three hours of the event, the pool was open to anyone in the community, not just members.
Taariq Parker, having attended Night Out as a child, was there Tuesday cooking hot dogs as a Recreation Department intern.
”It’s all about giving back to the community,” said Mr. Parker, now a college student in Ohio.
In West Windsor, residents gathered at the Community Park off of Princeton-Hightstown Road for their National Night Out. People received the opportunity to get information about the area’s emergency squads, fire companies, community policing, tactical unit, K-9 unit, finger printing and child seats.
Representatives from the Twin W squad and Womanspace also attended to provide additional information and answer questions.
During the four hours, citizens enjoyed music, inflatable bounce houses, a dunk tank and various performances including dances from Dance Corner, martial arts demonstrations and magic acts.
Attendees also indulged in food from Dunkin’ Donuts, Aunt Martha’s Funnel Cakes, face painting and pony rides. Participants even got to bring out their inner weavers by creating a giant loom, thanks to the West Windsor Arts Council.
The grand finale?
Watching the state police land a helicopter. The helicopter landing in addition to the tactical team’s demonstrations can be watched again with a click of a button on the West Windsor Police Department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wwpolice.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away, Plainsboro residents locked their doors, turned on their outside lights and celebrated with their own police officers. The Plainsboro community gathered at Morris Davison Park off of Plainsboro Road to learn about local emergency services equipment, jam to a live DJ, enjoy a car show and take part in various games.
Staff writer Charley Falkenburg contributed to this story.

