Held the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a community event focused on promoting a positive relationship between police and the community they are hired to serve and protect as well as encouraging neighborly camaraderie as a way to keeping neighborhoods safe.
Established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, National Night Out started out with a simple concept. Local residents were encouraged to sit on their front porch for an hour with the lights on to show that they were watching out for their neighbors. It has since evolved into a way to connect with community employees and local organizations, as well as having a good time on a summer night.
Every community celebrates differently. Below is a list of local events.
- Dunellen, Columbia Park. 5:30pm-8:30pm. Co-hosted by the Dunellen Police Department and Dunellen Recreation Department with assistance from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Safe Kids Middlesex County, Dunellen Fire Department and Dunellen Rescue Squad. Kid’s activity zone, music, refreshments, local organizations, emergency vehicle display, FISH food drive.
- Green Brook, Green Brook Middle School. 5-9pm. Children’s activities, meet and greet with local police officers, giveaways, food vendors, music, local businesses and community groups.
- Middlesex, Mountainview Park. 6-8:30pm. Co-hosted by the Middlesex Borough Alliance Committee and the Middlesex Borough Recreation Department. Giveaways, games, music, and snacks. Stay past dark and enjoy a recently released animated “cop movie.”
- Piscataway, Stelton Road between Tabb and Murray Avenues. 6-10pm. Crime prevention and safety tips, community group displays, law enforcement / fire / EMS visits, food, music, BMX Stunt Riders, car show, clowns, children’s activities and rides, rock climbing wall, prescription drug drop off.
- Plainfield, City Hall Plaza. Starting at 6:30pm. Kids zone, Plainfield Police Department, safety demos from the Plainfield Fire Squad, car show, live music, free bookbags and school supplies giveaway.