Secaucus will once again participate in America’s Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in Buchmuller Park and run until 10 p.m. In the event of rain it will be held at the Recreation Center, 1200 Koelle Blvd.
Night Out is designed to familiarize residents with police officers and raise awareness about crime prevention techniques.
“The purpose is to have interactions where kids get to meet the police officers, the fire personnel, the county police officers,” explained Councilman Gary Jeffas, the liaison to the Police Department.
“The idea is so they feel comfortable with the officers and get to know them, and then in the future if something goes wrong, they have a comfort level and won’t be afraid to talk to a cop or a fireman or a county police officer,” he said.
Residents are also encouraged to get to know their neighbors and have some fun.
“There’ll be rides, there’ll be food, some light refreshments,” said Jeffas. “A lot of stuff for kids like games, activities, jump houses.”
16,000+ communities strong
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live. It takes place each year on the first Tuesday in August.
Neighbors celebrate in more than 16,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other community events.
More than 16,000 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide participate in National Night Out.
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Founded in March 1981, NATW is a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations, and concerned citizens.
Game Day morning
This year’s Night Out event in Secaucus is preceded by the town’s second annual Game Day event. Kids ages 4 to 10 are invited to spend the day playing classic games like potato sack races, water balloon tosses, three-legged races, and many more.
Game Day takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4 in Buchmuller Park.
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.