National Night Out will be held for the first time community wide this year.
“The event was spread out before and this year we decided to put it all together and make it the true first National Night Out,” said Barry Fitzgerald, co-chair of Evesham NNO.
The movement began in 1983 to help “heighten crime awareness and prevention, generate support for, and participate in, anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and end a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back,” according to National Night Out’s website.
“It’s a way to get everyone in the township to watch and look out for their neighbors,” Fitzgerald said.
In NNO 2011 involved over 37 million people in 15,325 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide, according to an official statement.
A moon bounce, dunk tank will be there for fun for the kids along with, face painting and a hula-hoop contest along with an array of other kids activities. Soft pretzels and water ice will also be offered free of charge.
Evesham is expecting a few hundred people to kick of the inaugural event in the community, Fitzgerald said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie.” Matt Pekin, executive director of NNO said in an official statement. “While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It [NNO] is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes — and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”
Guests are invited to come celebrate NNO and enjoy a free evening with their community.
The police station will be open for tours along with SWAT, the K-9 rescue, the D.A.R.E. truck and fire trucks along with the smoke house throughout the night and demonstrations from the unique teams will also be involved with NNO.
The national sponsor, Target, will be having multiple giveaways along with NNO for those in attendance.
“We decided to get the community together and have a great night,” said Fitzgerald.
National Night Out will take place Aug. 7 from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 at the Evesham Township Municipal Building located at 984 Tuckerton Road.
“Come out and meet your neighbors and enjoy a night with the family,” Fitzgerald said.
