Voorhees police will host their annual National Night Out on Tuesday at Eastern High School, the department’s version of a nationwide observance that began nearly 40 years ago.
The free event – open to all Voorhees residents – begins at 5:30 p.m. and is an opportunity for the township community to meet with its local officers, firefighters and local legislators. There will be food, ice cream, a petting zoo and a bounce house.
National Night Out offers a chance to bolster community support for police.
“ … It’s a great opportunity for the Voorhees residents to come (hang out) with the department and enjoy a (summer) night,” said police Lt. Derek Hawkins.
“We want to make it as fun as possible.”
Eastern High offers a more communal meeting place for residents than Connolly Park, where National Night Out has been held in the past. Hawkins said the elderly population was a big factor in the decision to move, along with the school’s better vehicle access.
“We decided that while (of course) Connolly Park is a great park, we found ourselves putting our vehicles and everything up at the top of the bowl, and all of the events, the entertainment we had, was down below,” Hawkins explained.
“It became a problem for a lot of our residents, especially the elderly and those that had trouble walking.”
The event will also enable attendees, especially children, to go inside a police cruiser and flash its lights, something that became an issue at Connolly.
“We really just wanted a flatter surface,” Hawkins noted.
Other entertainment will include an officer dunk tank and K-9 demonstrations.
“We’ll also have different tables (for services) within the department,” the lieutenant said.
Among them will be the domestic violence response team and members of Volunteers of America.
“It’s going to be a big carnival atmosphere without the rides,” Hawkins said. “It’s a time for our residents and visitors to enjoy being together.”
For more information about National Night Out, visit the township Facebook page or the police department website.
