The second annual National Night Out will be celebrated in Evesham Township on Aug. 6 at the township municipal building.
According to Barry Fitzgerald, co-chair of Evesham National Night Out, two K9 dogs will be at the event providing a demonstration for guests. Additionally, Bertucci’s and Rita’s will be serving free food.
“They’re our two big food sponsors, they’re not charging, it’s going to be free,” Fitzgerald said.
The National Night Out 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 send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to the organization’s website.
This is the 30th anniversary of the national celebration.
According to an Evesham Police Department release, the program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin. That first year, 400 communities in 23 states participated in National Night Out. Nationwide, 2.5 million Americans took part in 1983.
Participants turned on their front porch lights to show their solidarity with local law enforcement.
The citizens were sending a message that they would not tolerate crime in their neighborhood.
In 2011, National Night Out involved more than 37 million people in 15,325 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, according to the National Night Out website.
A moon bounce and dunk tank will be there for fun for the kids along with face painting, a hula-hoop contest and an array of other kids activities.
Additionally, the police station will be open for tours along with SWAT, the D.A.R.E. truck, local businesses, civic groups and neighborhood organizations.
Crime prevention materials and information will be on display and distributed by Neighborhood Watch and Police Crime Preventions, the release said.
Fire trucks with the smoke house will also be available throughout the night.
There will also be a DJ in attendance to entertain guests.
“I’m looking forward to a bigger turnout and making more people aware of Neighborhood Watch,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s important to keep an eye on your neighborhood.”
According to Fitzgerald, Neighborhood Watch meets once a month to talk about what’s going on.
“The most important aspect of it is to keep an eye on what’s going on in your area. If residents see anything out of the ordinary, they’re instructed to call the police,” he said.
A few hundred residents turned out for the inaugural event last year. Fitzgerald is hopeful for a bigger, better turnout for this year’s celebration.
“Everyone should expect a fun-filled night with free food and excitement,” Fitzgerald said. “Everyone should get involved and have fun.”
