Police depts. enjoy a Night Out on the towns
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Christopher Ramirez, 7, Monmouth Junction, uses his body to block water from a firehose at South Brunswick's National Night Out at Woodlot Park.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - In much the same way that Mother Nature kept the heat on residents attending National Night Out, the North and South Brunswick police departments are trying to keep the heat on criminals.

Also known as "America's Night Out Against Crime," National Night Out was held on Tuesday at the new Emergency Services building on Route 130 in North Brunswick and Woodlot Park in South Brunswick, designed as a going-away party for neighborhood crime and drugs. The annual event serves to provide public safety tips to residents while fostering a rapport between police officers and the community.

There were many treats for visitors in North Brunswick, especially ice-cold root beer, water and snow cones to help beat the heat. Donated by various local vendors but sponsored by the Municipal Alliance Committee through a grant from Middlesex County, the nonalcoholic beverages were representative of this year's platform to curb underage drinking.

There were brochures and pamphlets targeting youths and seniors specifically, because other programs exist to aid adults with any substance abuse. There are also several events in North Brunswick held throughout the year to target healthy alternatives to abuse, such as the Community Camp Out, Project Graduation and police department activities.

"If nobody knows what's available, then it may as well not be available. … It is important to be visible and let people in the community know what services are available," committee member Jim Brittain said.

The idea of visibility is a key component of National Night Out, as various members of the rescue squad, fire departments, the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army, the Domestic Violence Team, the Crime Prevention Unit, the Gang Prevention Unit, and the MORE Unit from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office introduced themselves to residents, showing their presence in the community.

"Community relations are a very important part of community policing," said Sgt. Gina Braconi, who worked for seven months to plan the event. "This way, when people have a problem, they know they can turn to us to help them, and when we need their help solving crimes, it helps to make this a better town to live in."

While the event is normally held at the police department, the new EMS building was chosen as this year's location in order to reach out to more people in the community and to inform residents that there are various substations in town to keep them protected, including three separate fire companies and the new first aid building that is located in the middle of the Renaissance development.

"National Night Out is about getting out, getting to know your neighbors, … and as you can see, tonight it's been a success," Police Director Kenneth McCormick said of the 800 residents who visited the site.

One of those new faces was 6-year-old Chandler Mattis, who enjoyed the cotton candy, water slide and airbrush tattoo station. He said he learned about fire safety and that "You can't call firetrucks, only if there's an emergency." His mother, Shevon, said she feels safe living in town for the past 10 years but liked how the community came together during the event.

"As a whole, if we continue with this awareness from little kids to grandparents, we can make everyone aware and can get to know the faces of the police department and our little heroes here in town," she said.

There was also live entertainment by The Marshall Law Band, a water slide, face painting, sand art and refreshments. A number of local businesses donated goods and services, and Braconi thanked her fellow police officers, the administration, the sponsors and the townspeople for making this year's National Night Out the biggest and best one ever.

"Everybody coming together makes this event what it is," she said.