National Night Out will return to Deptford on Tuesday Aug. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Deptford Recreation Center which is expected to see between 600 to 800 people, according to Mayor Paul Medany.
Members of the Deptford Police Department, Fire Department and Gloucester County EMTs will offer a look into their daily lives through casual conversation and displays.
A police vehicle will be open for kids to preview and there will be a K-9 demonstration. The fire department will have a truck with equipment on display and have a trailer to simulate what it is like being in a smokey house. EMTs will be on hand with an ambulance to showcase the interior and equipment.
A medevac helicopter is expected to land in the open field outside of the recreation center. Once it does, it will give kids the chance to see the interior.
“It’s all about public safety,” Medany said. “We want our residents to meet our emergency services and talk to them personally. Most towns just have an event, but we like to do live demonstrations and vendors.”
The vendors will consist of local organizations and businesses – the Deptford Free Public Library and Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office – as well as food vendors.
Medany and other members of the Deptford Township Council will be in attendance as well as Police Chief Joseph Smith. The event is sponsored by the mayor, council and police department.
“It’s a big deal to be able to meet these people and see what they do in a social atmosphere,” the mayor said. “Hopefully you don’t have to meet these people in an emergency situation to get to know them better.”
The event in recent years has featured the Phillie Phanatic of the Philadelphia Phillies, who showed up at the 2022. Last year, Phang the snake of the Philadelphia Union soccer team made an appearance.
The township is always looking to improve the event with each subsequent year.
“It’s a very popular event and we’re in good shape with it,” Medany said. “We’re always looking to do a better job with it.”
