National Night Out is Aug. 1
National Night Out has taken place in Berlin Borough for several years. This year, the town is reverting back to the way National Night Out is supposed to be: a night to go into the neighborhood and meet your neighbors. Last year, the town took the approach of having a large gathering at the community center.
Resident Joan Rocco has been involved with the past five National Nights Out. She said she had read an article and “liked the concept that you greet your neighbor and turn the porch lights on.” She said last year “[the town] lost sight and had National Night Out at the rec center.”
She said she had talked to some of the policemen after last year’s National Night Out and they thought it was best to go back to the roots of the event.
Chief of Police Michael Miller said he wanted to get back to how National Night Out is supposed to be when he was elected chief this past September. National Night Out is a night to promote community awareness and relationships with your neighbors and encourage police-community camaraderie. Miller said it is a night to “turn your porch lights on, meet your neighbors and have the police stop by.”
When the police stop by, they explain what they normally do and encourage residents to call with all unusual or suspicious behavior, even if it may seem inconsequential.
“Community awareness is the whole point … I hope this year, it is such a success that they keep it up,” Rocco said.
Patrolman Eric Wolf is in charge of organizing the town-wide event. Rocco said Wolf has organized a pie contest. Each area hosting will submit a pie police will taste when they go from area to area to introduce themselves.
Along with the police, the fire department and EMTs also go from area to area to introduce themselves.
If you would like to participate in National Night Out, there are only a few steps that need to be completed. The first is to invite and organize your neighbors. The second is to designate a block captain and have your block captain contact Wolf at [email protected] or (856) 767–4700 ext. 159 to register. Registrations will only be accepted until July 28. The last step is to decide who makes the best pie and have fun.
National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday of August, which is Aug. 1 this year.
In the future, Miller would like the event to be expanded. The police department welcomes all ideas residents have in regard to future National Nights Out.
