Hoboken will celebrate “National Night Out,” a unique crime and drug prevention event, on Tuesday, Aug. 4 between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m. on Harrison Street between Third and Fourth streets.
The day before, the “Night Out” will be preceded by Hoboken’s 18th Annual 5K Run/Walk Against Crime and Drugs for the benefit of the Alzheimer’s Association on Monday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. at Pier “A” Park.
The “National Night Out” event is being sponsored by Mayor Peter Cammarano, the Hoboken Police Department, the Hoboken Municipal Alliance Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Hudson County Partners in Prevention.
“National Night Out” is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The event will feature giveaways, hot dogs and soda, a movie screening, and a host of other attractions, including a fire department demonstration of use of the “Jaws of Life,” a Domestic Violence Response Team display and a DWI Goggles demonstration in which the public can participate.
Also scheduled to present displays are the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Armed Services (Army, Navy, and Marines), HVAC, Boys and Girls Club of Hoboken, Child I.D. Kits, Alex Soccer from the New Jersey Red Bulls, the P.A.L. and Save the Youth Programs. There will be additional presentations not yet confirmed at press time.
Monday’s race kicks off activities
The 5K race, which will run from Pier A Park along the waterfront and back on Monday night, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m., is sanctioned and certified by the USATF-NJ as a Grand Prix event. Participants will receive 500 points and the race is timed by COMPUSCORE. There are individual and team entries categories.
Awards will be given to the first three males and females overall in the following age groups: under 18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over. Team categories have been expanded to include law enforcement, corporate, bar wars (bar/restaurant employees), and gym/fitness club employees. Each team must have a minimum of three members.
Results will be made available immediately at the finish line and posted on www.compuscore.com on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Proceeds from the race this year benefit the Alzheimer’s Association located in Denville. Fees are $20 on or before July 31 or $25 thereafter and on race day. USATF active members pay $18 before July 31 and $25 thereafter. Checks are to be made out to The City of Hoboken and applications are available online at WWW.ACTIVE.COM OR WWW.COMPUSCORE.COM.
Last year’s National Night Out campaign drew over 37 million participants in over 15,000 communities nationwide.
In addition to Mayor Cammarano, the Police Department event team includes Police Chief Anthony Falco, Sr., Lt. Kenneth Ferrante, Sgt. James Marnell and Patrolmen James Barbro, Anthony Fesken, Joseph Mezzina and William Oquendo.
Partners in Prevention is represented by Executive Director Samantha Harries, and the co-sponsoring Hoboken Municipal Alliance Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse includes Police Captains Anthony Romano and Daniel Simone, Mary Schmit, Mary Tremitiedi, Eileen Carvalho, Judge Kimberly Glatt, Rev. Vincent Fortunato, former Councilman Richard Del Boccio, Dominick Lisa, Christopher Bado and Suzanne Hetman.