NORTH BRUNSWICK – National Night Out in North Brunswick was filled with fun, sweet treats and comradery.
The department held its annual event outside police headquarters on Aug. 2. Officials closed off part of Hermann Road to allow community members to roam from the food vendors, games and various community organizations set up on both sides of the street.
Community members enjoyed interacting with members of the North Brunswick Police Department, township fire departments, members of the emergency medical services and were allowed to climb in and out of department vehicles, trucks.
The event offered free food and fun activities for all.
National Night Out was introduced nationally in 1984 and is an annual community building campaign that was created to make communities safer and build trust between communities and their police departments, according to the National Association of Town Watch.
This is the 39th year of the campaign. Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits, according to its website.
The National Association of Town Watch sponsors the annual nationwide event that is also celebrated in U.S. territories and on military bases worldwide with a goal to establish stronger relationships and camaraderie between officers and the communities they serve.