"The police and the people need to get along," said mother of two and Hoboken resident Ronda Sinclair about the National Night Out event that was held Tuesday at Sinatra Park. "The system doesn’t work otherwise. I’m glad the police have outreach programs like this one so that we get to meet and get to know the people that protect us."
The event, which drew more than 1,000 people to the waterfront, focused the community’s attention on crime and drug prevention by rallying citizens and the police to work together to maintain safe neighborhoods.
The Hoboken Police Department, Mayor David Roberts, and Police Chief Carmen La Bruno sponsored the event.
This is the 11th year that Hoboken has participated in the program. "This is a real opportunity to reinforce the partnership between the police department and residents of Hoboken," said Corrado Allegretta, the coordinator of this year’s event. "It’s important that the police establish a positive relationship with the community that we patrol."
Allegretta added that this year’s event is especially significant because it was dedicated to the victims of Sept. 11. Events included booths set up by police officers from Hoboken’s Community Service Bureau. The officers manning the booths discussed different aspects of community policing that included D.A.R.E., crime prevention, bicycle safety, neighborhood block watch, and automobile safety. Also at Sinatra Park were activities for children on the field, and music was provided by Z-100 FM, a Jersey City-based radio station.
In addition to the large party at the park, several Hoboken blocks organized individual parties to get to know their neighbors.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. In all, over 33 million people were expected to participate in America’s Night Out Against Crime.
It encourages individuals, civic groups, and businesses, which share the same concerns for building communities where people are not held hostage by fear, to form an alliance with the police and develop ways to deter crime. "Sometimes you don’t feel comfortable talking to the police," said teenager Jorge Gonzalez. "When you just see them on the street, you may feel like you did something wrong. But [during events like the one tonight] you can walk up and talk to them and find out that they are all right."
The night was also an opportunity for neighbors to have some fun. Rachael Cordina, 12, who is home-schooled, was among the many youths who enjoyed playing hockey at the tent organized by the New Jersey Devils. "It’s a lot of fun," said Cordina. After a couple of goals, she added, "I’m getting pretty good at it."
Other groups participating in the event include: PSE&G, Hudson Athletic Club, Dunkin’ Donuts, Snapple Beverage Co., SDS Bicycles, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, National Guard Drug Task Force, and New Jersey Transit Police.