Communities unite to show appreciation to law enforcers
TRENTON, N.J. – Tuesday was the 29-year-old, annual National Night Out, which is an anti-crime, anti-drugs event that started in the City of Trenton 15 years ago as a community-wide event, that partners with law enforcers.
“There are actually 53 unique events throughout the city,” said Paul Harris, Coordinator of Trenton’s National Night Out. “It’s a community-oriented event,” said Harris.
He explained that the purpose of the event is to deter criminal activities, to show appreciation to our law enforcement officials, and to encourage people to come out of their homes and interact with each other. Harris went on to say that with the police and fire departments involved, it directly discourages criminals.
“It is saying to the criminals, this is our city, our neighborhood, “ he said.
The National Night Out parties usually starts at 5 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. However, the times vary from community to community.
In the Mill Hill District community of Trenton, about 150 community members including elected officials, the police and fire departments came out to mingle and show support.
Even though Monday night featured National Night Out Kick-Off celebration, Tuesday night was the official night of the event.
The Kick-Off was at a one-spot location, at City Hall, in the City of Trenton. Many of the elected officials, law enforcement agencies, people from various neighborhoods throughout the city, and supporters of anti-crime programs, all attended.
The National Night Out effort is meant to foster years-long crime prevention programs throughout the city.
“We try to do a neighborhood watch walk,” said Kari Brookhouse, a Mill Hill resident of Trenton, who was at the block party. “We try to get people to do it like daily, but I don’t know that they do,” she said.
Brookhouse continued that, “We try to get cameras so that individuals have surveillance in their homes.”
She also said they try to give everyone in the neighborhood the police department phone numbers.
Angela Capio, one of those attending the block party, said that crime has happened in Mill Hill, but it is not prevalent. She added, “I think there is safety issues in any city.”
Capio said that the night’s event was to celebrate the community and the people who protect us such as police officers and firefighters. She said the mailman was invited to the event as well.
