Residents Join Police Officers for National Night Out
By Robin Vinci | Editor at August 4, 2024 | 6:15 pm | Print
Over 500 people turned out to celebrate National Night Out Tuesday at either Willow Brook Park or Walnut Hill Park as a way to show cooperation with the police department and take back the streets from crime.
Children ages 3 and up seemed most interested in investigating police and fire vehicles.
At the SWAT truck children gathered to sit in the seats and see what it was all about.
“They can see the truck up close, go inside,” said Officer Brandon Eagan. “We normally bring a lot of equipment. This truck is an armored vehicle we use it for search warrants. We would use it in a hostage situation and bring it right in front or even drive it through a house if we had to. It will take rifle rounds, explosives and it is pretty much a military vehicle.”
At the fire truck groups came and went after seeing all the gadgets.
“We are showing them the truck and all the equipment. They get to sit in it,” said Capt. Brian Lizon. “We gave them fire hats. We let them see the buttons, but we can’t run it. It makes too much noise. The kids always love it.”
“The kids enjoy playing with the stethoscope and the band-aids and checking out the heart monitor,” said Rob Girard, paramedic who was displaying an ambulance. “They are having a good time. A lot of kids come this way. We love people to come and check it out.”
Many other residents enjoyed free food and visiting a variety of vendors. The HRA was there to hand out flyers and help people with energy assistance, daycare, wellness resources and employment opportunities for young adults ages 18-24.
“I think this is great. It is nice to bring the community together. It is marvelous,” said Resident Rita Cefaratti. “They should do more of this. The police are great guys and it is nice they are offering their services. We need this.”
“We are out there reaffirming our relationships with the community and providing a fun summer activity,” said Police Chief James Wardwell. “The New Britain Police Department is first and foremost into community relationships. We are always looking to better them, build upon them and establish new ones. This is just another venue that we do them in.”
The event is organized by Sgt. Paula Keller who helped bring sponsors such as McDonald’s on West Main St., Stop and Shop, Celebration Foods, Target and Whitson’s Food Service.
“I think this is phenomenal. It brings the whole community together,” said Janet Peichert, chair of the Arch Area NRZ. “I am hoping it will help bring more people to our NRZ. Sgt Keller has just done an amazing job.”
Also on hand were various Alderman and other officials greeting residents and helping out as best they could.
“It is an annual event that I believe the community looks forward to participating in,” said Ald. Daniel Salerno. “It really lets us know that we have a strong concerned law enforcement. That is important for our protection. Most people are good people and we need to recognize that.”
“This is my fourth year helping out and it is something I am very proud of,” added Ald. Jim Sanders Jr. “It is great to see the police with the community especially with this day and age. It is a true testament to see our guys care about the community. We are blessed to have the officers we have in this town. They are the Number 1 department in the state of Connecticut.”
NATW’s Executive Director, Matt Peskin introduced National Night Out. The first National Night Out took place on Tuesday, August 7th 1984. That first year, 2.5 million Americans took part across 400 communities in 23 states.
National Night Out now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
NATW is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses, civic groups, and individuals, devoted to safer communities. The nation’s premiere crime prevention network works with law enforcement officials and civilian leaders to keep crime watch volunteers informed, interested, involved and motivated. Since 1981, NATW continues to serve thousands of members across the nation.
