National Night Out started 30 years ago as a nationwide initiative to build a partnership between communities and their local police.
Three decades later, the crime prevention ideals are still there, only so are free shaved ice and inflatable play areas for the kids.
Hamilton’s 31st NNO Aug. 5 will be its biggest yet, with racecars from New Egypt Raceway, bouncy castles and slides, a photo booth and a DJ available for residents for enjoy. Brothers Pizza and Texas Roadhouse will be providing food while Kona Ice will be giving out water ice while supplies last.
The event runs from 5-8 p.m. at the Hamilton Police Division headquarters, at 1270 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, next to the township library. Everything is free of charge.
“We’re going to have a lot,” said HPD officer Edward Lugo.
At the event, residents will have a chance to meet local police officers and first responders. There will be exhibitions by public safety agencies and community organizations, including the National Guard, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff K-9 unit, Hamilton SWAT and the Hazmat unit. The Hamilton Animal Shelter will have animals available for adoption.
Representatives from many community organizations will also be present to spread the word about their groups and encourage greater community involvement. That is at the heart of National Night Out, which began as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention and neighborhood camaraderie and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The first National Night Out took place on Aug. 7, 1984, with 2.5 million Americans in 400 communities participating. According to its website, NNO now involves more than 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.
For more information, call the Hamilton Police Divison at (609) 581-4120.
