On the first Tuesday of every August, police officers across the nation take part in family-friendly activities to foster stronger police-community relations during “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” Police Departments plan carnivals, meet-and-greets, K-9 demonstrations and ice cream giveaways. “National Night Out is all about building and reinforcing the relationship between public safety and the residents we serve,” says Pennsauken Police Chief Phil Olivo. “This year, we expect to provide another great experience for the members of our community.”
“Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more,” says the National Night Out website.
Here are some activities planned across New Jersey to celebrate National Night Out this year on Tuesday, August 1:
Atlantic County
Absecon
Crestview Avenue soccer fields
6 – 9 pm
There will be music, food, fire department demos, vendors, muscle cars, Top Cop games, a SWAT demonstration and the landing of a Medivac.
Hamilton
Gaskill Park, 40 Farragut Ave.
6 – 9 pm
School groups, local businesses and organizations will take part. Food trucks will be on site. There is a raffle drawing planned before the fireworks.
Bergen County
Lodi
Lodi Memorial Park
6 – 9 pm
Make sure you pick up free giveaways from different organizations, plus meet your local first responders.
New Milford
Kennedy Field
7 – 10 pm
Among the highlights of this giant celebration will be amusement rides, music, food vendors, law enforcement and emergency services displays, Armed Forces displays, ice cream, face painting, fire department ladder trucks and more. Start the day at 3:30 pm with Art Takes the Bench! where three artists will design and paint images on park benches. End the night with a special fireworks display.
Paramus
Paramus Bandshell
5 – 7 pm
Hang out with the police department’s Motorcycle Unit, the fire department, rescue, ambulance and community units. Stop by the info booths and take part in crafts, games and other activities. Stay for the concert by Classic Stones at 7 pm.
Burlington County
Bordentown Twp.
Joseph Lawrence Park, 316 Ward Ave.
6 – 9 pm
Come down for officer meet-and-greets, food, drinks, games, music, safety booths, emergency vehicles, Cops vs. Kids basketball, K-9 demo, obstacle course, cornhole with cops, face painting, and Xbox with a Cop.
Camden County
Haddon Heights
McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell (Haddon Lake Park), 1214 S. Park Ave.
6 – 9 pm
The night will include music, games, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, water ice, touch-a-truck, a pie eating contest and giveaways.
Haddon Twp.
Audubon Park’s Soccer Field, Roads A & B
5 – 8:30 pm
Bring the whole family for a night of amusements, bounces, a deejay, lawn games, a strolling magician, face painting, and free hot dogs and hamburgers.
Lindenwold
Lindenwold Memorial Park, 1000 United States Ave.
6 – 9 pm
Joining this special celebration will be a U.S. Army National Guard helicopter landing, Camden County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit and U.S. Coast Guard military flyover. Also planned are food options, vendors, information from local businesses and organizations, multiple bounce houses, a deejay and more.
Cape May County
Cape May
714 Beach Ave., outside Convention Hall
5:30 – 8:30 pm
The beach and boardwalk will be filled with beach games, bounce houses, a dunk tank, a magic show, prizes and giveaways. Meet members of the Cape May Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. There will be free hot dogs, pizza and candy.
Essex County
Livingston
Memorial Oval
5:30 pm
Where else can you enjoy a tethered hot air balloon ride during National Night Out? Tickets need to be purchased in advance. While waiting your turn, enjoy games, rides, hot dogs, drinks and even helicopters!
Millburn Twp.
Taylor Park
6 – 9 pm
Kids will get a kick out of seeing different police, fire and EMS vehicles. There will also be food vendors from local establishments, a game truck, bounce houses, an obstacle course, a deejay and other entertainment.
Mercer County
East Windsor
East Windsor PAL Complex, 30 Airport Road
6 – 9 pm
Kids will go crazy over an inflatable three-lane obstacle course, inflatable toy axe-throwing game, airbrush tattoo and face painting, police car tours, police K-9 demos, fire and rescue displays, deejay music, plus refreshments. There will also be crime watch info, child seat safety inspections, emergency services equipment, booths and displays by area groups and organizations. Plus, lots of giveaways!
Hamilton Twp.
Veterans Park, South Entrancw
5 – 8 pm
Come by for games, activities and conversations with your local police officers.
Plainsboro
Morris Davison Park
6 – 8 pm
Highlights will include live music, kiddie rides, a car show, bicycle safety checks, a local emergency services equipment display and other fun.
Robbinsville
Robbinsville Township Police Headquarters, 1117 Route 130 north
6 – 9 pm
Bring the entire family to meet the officers. The kid-friendly event will have a bounce house, water slide, DJ, K9 demos, station tours, hot dogs and popcorn, cotton candy, Sno Cones and more.
Middlesex County
Cranbury
Village Park
5 – 8 pm
There will be free food, games, touch-a-truck, music and more.
Edison
Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Blvd.
6 – 10 pm
Community members can participate in a DWI (driving while intoxicated) golf course simulation and observe a mock crash demo. The night will also include a New Jersey State Police helicopter flyover, food and a movie.
Monroe Twp.
Thompson Park
6 – 9 pm
There will be fun, food, games and a car show near the lake.
North Brunswick
Police headquarters, 710 Hermann Road
5 – 8 pm
The parking lot outside of the police department will be set up with hot dogs and hamburgers, music by Mid-Life Crisis, kids activities and info booths.
Rutgers University
The Yard, 40 College Ave., New Brunswick
6 pm
Meet the Rutgers campus officers. There will be discounts from vendors at The Yard, live music and movie theater mania.
South Brunswick
Rowland Park, 235 Broadway Road
6 – 9 pm
One of the biggest events in the area – which has continually won awards year after year – South Brunswick’s event usually hosts up to 7,000 area residents who come out for lots of free food, games, prizes and displays. First responders offer demonstrations, participate in activities and show off their vehicles. There is music and children’s games.
South River
Saint Mark Christian Academy parking lot, Morningside Avenue near Montgomery Street
5 – 8 pm
The event features food vendors, touch-a-truck, activities, games, music, giveaways, info from community groups, demos, a gaming truck and a bounce house.
Woodbridge
Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St.
6 – 9 pm
The night will include food, a dunk tank, miniature golf, games and music. Community members can take photos with members of police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS) and their specialty vehicles.
Monmouth County
Freehold Borough
Hall of Records parking lot, 1 E. Main St.
6 – 9 pm
Meet your Freehold police officers and firefighters, plus EMS volunteers. There will be a K-9 demo by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. Kids can play on the inflatables and rock climbing wall. There will be costumed characters and giveaways for the kids, plus lots of ice cream, hot dogs and snacks.
Freehold Township
5-9 pm
iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd.
There will be free pizza, cotton candy and snacks. Meet local first responders, police, fire and first air. Explore the emergency equipment and vehicles.
Manalapan Twp.
P.C. Richard & Son parking lot, Route 9, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The kids can meet Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.” Plus, there will be a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, a bounce house, prizes and free food.
Neptune Twp.
Midtown Community Elementary School
5 – 8 pm
Kids will have the opportunity to win one of more than 20 new bicycles, bicycle helmets and many other fun prizes. Free food and snacks will be provided as well as fun and games for the kids.
Ocean County
Lakewood
Lakewood Pine Park, 500 Country Club Ln.
4-8 pm
For lots of action, watch the BMX stunt show. There will be free rides, free BBQ and pizza, and giveaways. Music will be by The Wilbur Whitman Band.
Long Beach Twp.
Bayview Park, Brant Beach
5-10 pm
Activities include a petting zoo, face painting, jumbo inflatables, food, live music; and most importantly, local police, K9, fire department, beach patrol and first aid members who will be there for you to meet.
Jackson Twp.
Johnson Park, Kierych Memorial Drive
6-9 pm
Bring the kids for rides, games, a DJ and food.
Point Pleasant
Community Park, 2255 Bridge Ave.
6-8 pm
Expect lots of family-friendly fun from your local emergency service personnel.
Plumstead
New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Rd.
5-8 pm
After watching the First Responder Pie Eating Contest, hang around for pony rides, music, carnival games, backyard games, archery, a balloon artist, face painting, race car picture moments, construction vehicles, fantasy setting photos, a petting zoo, bumper cars and food vendors.
South Toms River
South Toms River Elementary School, 419 Dover Rd.
4-8 pm
There will be inflatables, food, special guest appearances, a K9 demo, a helicopter landing and a DJ.
Stafford Twp.
Doc Cramer Sports Complex
5 pm to Dusk
There will be so much to do here, including police and K9 demos, a petting zoo, food trucks, a BMX bike demo, inflatables, face painting and Founder’s Day Fireworks at dusk.
Passaic County
Clifton
Main Memorial Park
6 – 8 pm
Speak with your officers, meet local business owners, see emergency vehicles, and watch “The Super Mario Bros.” movie at dusk.
Somerset County
Bridgewater
Municipal Complex, 100 Commons Way
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Enjoy free food, giveaways, tours of headquarters, music, games, face painters, a balloon artist, a dunk tank and more!
Hillsborough Twp.
Mountainview Park, 141 Mountainview Rd.
Police and emergency services members will have info and equipment on display. Play Kickball With the Cops, or try to wet one in the dunk tank. There will be snacks, handouts and souvenirs.
Somerville
Carol Pager Park, Exchange Field, Green Street
6 – 8 pm
Somerville’s School of Rock, Elite Dance Center and Black Belt World Taekwondo will put on special performances. There will be free hot dogs, cookies and drinks. Go to the dunk tank and activities area for some fun. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office will be doing demos.
Union County
Union Twp.
Police headquarters, 981 Caldwell Ave.
5 – 9 pm
The event will include tours of the police department, Dunk-a-Cop dunk tank, a DUI goggle demonstration, exhibits by first responders, food, music and a deejay.
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