The Mantua Township Police Department (MTPD) and Mantua Recreation Committee are aiming to host their first Police in the Park event in Chestnut Branch Park Thursday Sept. 19, with a rain date of Sept. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Mantua Police Captain Bill Murphy, who is second in command of the police department, has been working with volunteers from the recreation committee in order to coordinate the event.
“The hard work of Captain Murphy and our volunteer recreation committee members are instrumental in bringing this program back on Sept. 19,” Mayor Robert Zimmerman said.
The event is intended to be a successor to the National Night Out events that were held in town before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Much like National Night Out, Mantua police officers will be around the park to talk to residents in a social setting. Demonstrations from the department’s K-9 department are also expected to take place.
“This is the first of its kind in many years for the MTPD and for our community, and will be an annual event,” said Zimmerman. “It will be our township’s new version of the National Night Out which was typically held during the month of June many years ago.”
According to Zimmerman, the township committee requested an event of this kind be brought back to the community last year, feeling it as a good way to celebrate the work of the MTPD and its officers. It has been discussed at committee meetings.
“This is another way that our community can celebrate our police officers and their continuing efforts to protect and serve our residents,” the mayor said. “Programs like this are also instrumental in helping to strengthen neighborhood spirit while enhancing the police-community partnership.”
More details about Police in the Park will be revealed to the public during the recreation committee meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
