The township organized against crime during the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Hamilton Township Police Headquarters.
National Night Out helps to strengthen the partnership between the police and the community in keeping neighborhoods safe, and sends a message to criminals that the community stands together, organized against crime, according to the Hamilton Police Division.
Police Chief James W. Collins said, “National Night Out is a great opportunity for all Hamilton residents to interact firsthand with not only Hamilton Police Division personnel, but with other first responders from Hamilton and Mercer County. National Night Out is a wonderful way to build good relationships with the residents we serve every day. Without the trust of the residents and their help in reporting suspicious activity and crime, the bad guys win.”
National Night Out — a nationwide observance — is the program’s 31st year and was started to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime.
The free event featured fun activities, displays and entertainment for families and children to enjoy. In addition to musical entertainment by The Singing DJ — Raymond R. Andrejcik Sr. — and refreshments by Brothers Pizza, Texas Roadhouse and Kona Ice while supplies last, Hamilton’s National Night Out featured exhibits from the US Armed Forces, Hamilton Police SWAT Team, Hamilton Police DARE Unit and Mercer County Sheriff Office’s K-9 Unit. There were also adoptable animals from the Hamilton Animal Shelter, and activities for children, including an inflatable bouncy house, slides, face-painting, finger-painting, a photo booth and more.
Racecars and drivers from New Egypt Speedway were there as well as public safety vehicles and equipment for children to see up-close and several community organization exhibits.

