Carteret, NJ – Mayor Dan Reiman and Susan Skoczypiec, National Night Out Coordinator for the Carteret Police Department, have announced that Carteret has been honored as a “National Award Winner” by the National Association of Town Watch for its “outstanding participation in the 2014 Annual National Night Out” crime, drug and violence prevention program. The National Association of Town Watch is the national sponsor of the National Night-Out Project.
On August 5th, Mayor Reiman, the Borough Council, the Carteret Police Department, and the Carteret Fire Department joined with residents to participate in the 31st 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.
In Carteret, the event drew enough participation to grant the town its 12th 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.
According to the NATW, this year’s event involved 38.5 million people in over 16,000 communities from all 50 states, US Territories and Military Bases worldwide. In Carteret’s population category, there were 42 towns which were chosen as winners – only 3 from New Jersey. The Borough was ranked # 11 out of the hundreds of towns in its category that participated.
Mayor Reiman stated, “For us the program has been a great way of celebrating Carteret’s diversity, and the neighborly appeal of our residential areas. In August we once again joined with residents to demonstrate that Carteret is a close-knit community that values its streets and public treasures.”
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.
“We commend our coordinator Susan Skoczypiec,” Mayor Reiman added, “and the number of Police Department and Fire Department personnel who demonstrated their commitment to a safer Carteret through their participation in the 2014 National Night Out.”
