National Night Out continuing its trend coming in Cinnaminson this August.
National Night Out has been a growing event across the United States since 1984. Since 2011, Cinnaminson Township has offered the event, and this year’s edition will take place Aug. 1 at Memorial Park.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighbor camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.
Even though the event is only one night of the year, it takes a 364-day effort to prepare for a better event the following year.
“Technically the day after the event, we start planning for next year’s event,” Director of Public Safety Michael King said. “Officer Michael Czarzasty is the coordinator and always has a debrief about the event to discuss what we could do differently and what aspects should be continued in the following year’s event.”
The event is for designed for all ages, and will feature face painting, live music courtesy of the Cinnaminson Shoprite, an inflatable fun zone courtesy of Xfinity, a professional BMX bike show and fireworks to cap off the evening.
There will also be food aplenty with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, soft pretzels, pulled pork, chicken burritos, shaved ice and ice cream all on the menu. Compared to last year, the department has upped the activities and food to make this year’s event a bigger hit.
“We knew there was always more ways to improve the event, so Officer Czarzasty added more food options, while adding the bike show, and more features to the inflatable fun zone,” King said. “We also promise the fireworks will be better this year than last.”
The hard work and dedication are also shared between the corporate sponsors that support the event each year. The Merion Caterers, Whistler’s Inn and Relay for Life are just a few of approximately 20 sponsors that contribute.
“Without all the annual support from these sponsors, as well as the Municipal Alliance, none of this would be possible,” King said.
An estimated 4,000 people attended the National Night Out in 2016, according to King, and the director believes attendance has increased every year since the event’s beginning. The ability for the police department to strengthen its bond with the community is great to see, while neighboring communities are thanked for their efforts, too.
“I also appreciate the support and officers from the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, Riverton Police Department, Moorestown Police Department and Delran Police Department for the event,” King said. “Without their participation handling crowd control and traffic, Cinnaminson officers could not have the interaction with the residents during the event.”
With plenty of entertainment options available for the community to choose from, attendance should increase again. The bond between the police department and the community will only get stronger, as the township looks to continue this tradition into the future, King said.
For more information regarding the National Night Out, call (856) 829–6666, or check https://www.facebook.com/CinnaminsonPD/.
