Residents can meet with the township’s first responders in a relaxed setting while also enjoying fun activities for kids.
National Night Out returns to Mt. Laurel Township on Aug. 7 to give residents a chance to interact with the township’s first responders in a fun, relaxed setting at Laurel Acres Park.
For residents unfamiliar with the event, National Night Out began in 1984 as a way for communities to learn more about their local law enforcement.
In the years since, the event has grown into an annual tradition across the nation on the first Tuesday night of August.
Many municipalities now set up block parties or miniature festival-like events in centralized locations where citizens can meet with police, as well as other first responders, such as members of the fire department, emergency medical services personnel and members from a municipality’s Office of Emergency Management.
This year Mt. Laurel will join that tradition.
“It’s just going to be a great way for the community to come out and let the kids meet the first responders,” Mt. Laurel Township Manager Meredith Tomczyk said. “Everybody is really excited about it and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Tomczyk said all residents are invited to come to the event and chat with their local first responders or ask any questions they might have about issues in the township.
In addition to getting a chance to interact with Mt. Laurel’s first responders, Tomczyk said the event would also provide plenty of other activities to keep kids and families entertained.
Tomczyk said kids could enjoy bounce houses, face painting and music from a DJ.
Although Tomczyk said she couldn’t remember the last time Mt. Laurel Township hosted its own National Night Out, she said she and Mt. Laurel Township Chief of Police Stephen Riedener each felt this year was the time to bring the event back to Mt. Laurel.
Tomczyk moved from serving as acting township manager to Mt. Laurel’s official township manager in March, and Riedener was sworn-in as chief of police last September after having previously served as deputy chief.
“One of the things the chief of police and I are both big on is getting our first responders involved in the community,” Tomczyk said.
With this event, Tomczyk said she hopes residents, young and old alike, will get to better know their local police and other first responders.
“I feel like there’s a lot of resources and a lot of things all the different first responders can offer to the community, but it’s really important for us to be out in the community so people know what’s available,” Tomczyk said. “This is a great way for them to inform the community.”
Tomczyk said this year’s event would also feature members of Mt. Laurel Township Council, including Mayor Rich Van Noord, on hand to dish out free hotdogs to hungry residents.
“If it means bringing the community together for a civic event likes this, it’s well worth handing out hot dogs to folks in town,” Van Noord said. “I can’t think of a better place to have such an event than Laurel Acres Park.”
Mt. Laurel Township’s 2018 National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Laurel Acres Park, 1045 S. Church St.
