Making community members comfortable with police officers who patrol their neighborhoods couldn’t be more important than now, as the nation faces a law-enforcement crisis that often put cops and the community on opposite sides of the fence. Members of the Bayonne Police Department were out in force on National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4 to make new friends and renew already established friendships.
The Bayonne men and women in blue gathered to meet children, their parents, and others to forge relationships with the youth of the city in hopes they will always go to police officers when they are in need and will help in crime prevention and the reporting of crimes when they are aware of them.
There was a change in the venue this year, with the event being held on the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park, instead of on Del Monte Drive between 23rd and 24th streets, where it had been for the last four years. The new site featured more room, which allowed for more recreational activities for the kids.
Children who attended enjoyed games of skill, bounce houses, promotional items, popcorn and other free food. They also enjoyed sitting in a police patrol car and Jeep-like vehicle.
Participants cited many reasons for attending.
“It’s because of the all the rides and the free food,” said 10-year old Isaac Young. “The police gave me stuff, and all the rides have police themes.”
Samantha Gibson said her three children and nephew were there for the fun as well, but there was a bigger message she was trying to teach them about police officers and their duties.
“This gave them the chance to see them, talk to them, and interact with them,” Gibson said. “If you do something wrong, they’ll come after you – if you don’t do anything wrong, they won’t come after you.”
Meghan Luzzi said she and her two daughters, Kylie, 8, and Cara, 5, were there to support the city’s police officers.
“I want them to see the police in the community are here protecting them,” Luzzi said. “It’s good for the community, so they know they’re here for them.”
Officials speak out
Police Officer Joe Lynch, who helps plan the annual gathering, said he was happy with the turnout of hundreds of children. He said he was part of the genesis of the program, which a couple of administrations ago consisted of going to the city’s housing projects to do cookouts.
“So the whole community now gets involved, and that’s what we like,” Lynch said. “They come out and we’re giving high fives all day. That’s what it’s all about – it’s for them.”
Police Chief Drew Niekrasz said the event was not only beneficial for Bayonne residents, but for his eight new recruits who were mixing with the crowd as one of their first duties.
“It’s important to get them involved with the community right away,” he said.
Mayor James Davis, an ex-police captain himself, was happy to see the turnout.
“Getting the community to come out, especially parents with their children, to have a beautiful night out with all the police here, that’s paramount to me,” Davis said.
Among the other participants were the Bayonne Police Explorers unit and McCabe Ambulance Service.
“This gave them the chance to see them, talk to them, and interact with them.” – Samantha Gibson
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National Night Out history
National Night Out, which began in 1984, is designed to increase awareness about police programs in the community, strengthen neighborhood spirit and the police-community partnership, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and ready to fight back against crime. The event has grown to include 38 million people and 16,000 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases around the world.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.