JACKSON – An evening of family fun that is held to raise community safety awareness is once again coming to Jackson, as officials gear up for the annual National Night Out.
National Night Out is hosted by the Jackson Police Department and the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Local 168 and will take place in the Jackson Plaza shopping center at North County Line and Cook roads from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 4.
According to the National Night Out website, the event was created by the National Association of Town Watch in an effort to “promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.”
“[National Night Out] is a chance for our citizens to not just meet the first responders in town, but also to find out what services are available to them, especially in emergencies,” Jackson Police Sgt. John Convery said.
Although most of the annual event is aimed at familiarizing residents with the men and women who serve as first responders in their town, Convery said National Night Out is also a way for people to learn more about their neighbors.
“Historically, people who know their neighbors are much more likely to look out for them,” Convery said. “We want to bolster that sense of community and get people to know their neighbors, first responders and the people around them.”
National Night Out will feature electronic child identification kits, the Jackson Police Department’s Special Response Team, the Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad, Quality First Aid, the Division of Children and Families, the New Jersey State Parole Board, the Jackson Police Explorers, child seat safety inspections and a demonstration of Fatal Vision impairment goggles.
Representatives of Jackson’s fire departments will conduct safety demonstrations, display fire trucks and showcase firefighting equipment. Officials will demonstrate the use of an automatic external defibrillator.
Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available, courtesy of Jackson ShopRite.
The PBA has contributed inflatable rides, face painting, snow cones and free bicycle raffles for all attendees.
Children will be able to play games for prizes, and drawings for prizes will go on throughout the evening, courtesy of Jackson ShopRite.
Buster, the Lakewood BlueClaws mascot, will be in attendance throughout the evening to interact with fans.
“It’s a good time for everybody and there is something for anybody of any age to come out,” Convery said. “Every year it gets a little bigger … and it seems that every year people have more fun.”
Representatives of local organizations interested in participating in National Night Out may call Convery at 732-833-3015 or Officer Vincent Rubio at 732-833-3014 for more information.
— Andrew Martins