Carteret, NJ – On Tuesday August 4th, Mayor Dan Reiman, the Borough Council, and the Carteret Police Department will join with residents to participate in the 26th Annual National Night Out. The program was first established by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) in 1984 as a unique crime and drug prevention event, through which residents and community leaders host gatherings in towns throughout the United States, to reassert their commitment to crime-free neighborhoods. According to the NATW;
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2008.
In Carteret, the event drew enough participation to grant the town its 6th consecutive NNO National Award for participation. Locally, the event typically includes block parties, cookouts, visits from Mayor Reiman and the local police, exhibits, flashlight walks, and youth programs.
“For us the program has been a great way of celebrating Carteret’s diversity,” Mayor Reiman stated, “and the neighborly appeal of our residential areas. Tomorrow night we will once again join with residents to demonstrate that Carteret is a small, close-kit community.”
The National Association of Town Watch (NATW), the non-profit sponsoring organization of National Night Out, partners with the Borough administration and police department to make sure there are no financial barriers to participation. In Carteret, the involvement of residents is voluntary. Food and promotional items distributed by participating residents are donated, which is part of what makes this a special evening.
The event will begin town-wide in Carteret at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday August 4th.
