Events help encourage stronger communities
Police invite the public to attend National Night Out events Aug. 7
National Night Out is making its annual return and local municipalities are preparing for a night of fun, informative community gatherings.
National Night Out is an annual community-building event aimed at bringing awareness to crime prevention as well as garnering participation in anti-crime organizations and strengthening relationships between police and the community. The event takes place all over the country on Tuesday, Aug. 7, and has been a tradition for many towns and counties across the U.S. since the mid-1980s.
The event was introduced by Matt Peskin, founder and executive director of National Association of Town Watch, in 1984 and has its roots in the Philadelphia area. According to the event website, Peskin spent several years volunteering for the Lower Merion Community Watch program. During that time, he patrolled neighborhoods, assisted with dispatch and created
a newsletter that featured success stories of neighborhood organizations and the Town Watch.
In an effort to generate more content for the newsletter, he began reaching out to community organizations, leading to National Night Out.
The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. Since then, the event has expanded to include a variety of events such as block parties, cookouts, festivals and parades, according to the website.
Events are planned throughout the area for the evening of Aug. 7. The following is a list of local events:
Pottstown
Pottstown’s annual National Night Out event will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Games, music, food and information stands will be set up at Washington and Chestnut Street Park. In addition, Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover Street, will also be participating with an event on the church’s lawn beginning at 4 p.m. Free hot dogs and water ice will be available for guests. Salem United Methodist Church will also be celebrating National Night Out on Aug. 7 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free school supplies will be handed out as well as free food, crafts, games and music. The church will be welcoming their new pastor, Etta McCall, with free cake and guests are invited to bring their favorite food dish to share.
Phoenixville
GraceCrossing Community Church will be holding a free event featuring music, food, kids crafts and exhibits from Phoenixville’s first responder units and community organizations. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at GraceCrossing Community Church, 248 Church Street, Phoenixville. The 200 block of Church Street will be closed from Gay Street to Main Street between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Amity
Amity Township will be holding National Night Out events beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 7. The festivities will be held at Amity AC Pool, 55 Amity Park Road, Douglassville. The event will include helicopter, fire truck and ambulance displays as well as a variety of demonstrations. Additionally there will be free food, drinks and entertainment. Guests will also have the opportunity to go swimming in the pool, play Dunk a Cop and visit with area organizations set up at the event.
Royersford
Royersford’s National Night Out celebration has more than 150 sponsors this year. Royersford’s First United Church of Christ is heading this year’s event which will be happening on August 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. on Washington Street between Third and Fifth Avenues. The free event will include a variety of food and drinks and activities including crafts, face painting and an inflatable bouncer. Police, firemen and EMT’s will also be at the event to speak with the public.
Central Berks
One of the largest National Night Out gatherings in Berks County is sponsored by the Central Berks Regional Police Department for residents of Mount Penn, Lower Alsace, St. Lawrence and Oley Township. The gathering will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Antietam “A” Field, Prospect Street at Byram Street in Mount Penn. Free food, giveaways and police and fire demonstrations are planned.