The first Tuesday in August has become synonymous with National Nigh Out, the movement begun in 1984 to get neighbors to turn on their porch lights, get out of their houses and to help build community.
There were 2.5 million who took part that first year across 400 communities in 23 states. Since then the event involves 28.1 million people and 16,540 communities in all 50 states.
Local law enforcement, as well as municipal officials, have adopted the event as a way for the communities they serve to better know the police officers, firefighters, rescue squad and emergency medical personnel who respond first in times of crisis.
In our area Plainsboro, Princeton, West Windsor, Lawrence and South Brunswick all held National Night Out events in their communities.
These events have become fun evenings for families and emergency services workers alike. Police officers can take the time to show off the inside of a police car to a youngster, or a little girl can try on a firefighters’ suit, just to see what it’s like. In addition there is plenty of food and often there are games and rides to amuse the kids, too.
In addition to the fun and games, something more important is established. These events can be a building block of the trust that needs to exist between police, firefighters and rescue personnel and the members of the communities they serve and protect. Community members need to see those in uniform as people, just as the uniformed personnel need to get to know their constituents better.
The harmony and enjoyment of National Night Out here makes us believe that the trust built in our communities will serve as a foundation for an ongoing relationship between residents and those who work to serve them.
