National Night out slated for four Jersey City parks on Aug. 4

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Police Department, the Police Officers’ Benevolent Association (P.O.B.A.), the Jersey City Police Superior Officers’ Association (P.S.O.A.), the Jersey City Police Foundation, are hosting the annual National Night Out Against Crime event for residents and police officers at four city parks on Tuesday, Aug. 4
The annual event, now in its 32nd year, will feature activities for children and adults and is an opportunity for residents to get to know veteran officers and new recruits as the Police Department continues to strengthen community relations.
“Relationships between law enforcement and community members are important to enhancing public safety,” said Mayor Fulop. “In Jersey City, we have made an effort to build a police department that both reflects and understands the community it serves. National Night Out is an opportunity for our residents and police officers to come together and strengthen the relationship in order to improve all of our communities.”
Residents are invited to attend one of the four city parks hosting National Night Out events from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Audubon Park, Pershing Field,Arlington Park and Hamilton Park. At each park, there will be moon bounces, balloon sculpturing, a dunk tank, popcorn, hot dogs, giveaways and more. Various community and service organizations will be on hand to provide information to the public, and neighborhood group leaders will be recognized for their contributions to the community.
“Our officers are working the streets and getting to know residents and business owners each and every day and events like National Night Out are an added chance for us to meet with the community and discuss any issues or ideas they may have,” said Public Safety Director James Shea. “Anytime we can positively engage with the community we serve, we are strengthening the dialogue between police and the community that helps us do the best job possible for our residents.”
The Police Department’s Community Relations officers are assigned to improving the effectiveness of the Jersey City Police Department by facilitating a cooperative effort between the police and the community through various citywide programs and services. National Night Out is one of the Department’s most notable events as it heightens crime-prevention awareness and generates support for anti-crime programs.
“National Night Out is a great opportunity for residents to get to know their neighbors and the officers who patrol their community, as well as the police leadership,” said Florence Holmes, an active member of the Friends of Arlington Park. “We are grateful for events like this that strengthen the relationships we have with the Police Department as we all work together to improve public safety in our city.”
National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime”, began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday of August, and now involves more than 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
At 9 p.m., Jersey City residents are encouraged to participate in National Night Out by turning on their home or porch lights. Churches are asked to ring their bells as a gesture of unity to support and promote safety in their neighborhoods.