Residents spend a night out with police
North Brunswick joins the fun on National Night Out
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

Top: Magician Peter Pitchford entertains the children who came out to the North Brunswick Police Department's presentation of National Night Out, held at the Emergency Services Building. Above: Daksh Dua looks through a magnifying glass held by Pitchford at the National Night Out. Right: Jack Manzino, 6, peers at a police shield at National Night Out at Rowland Park in South Brunswick on Aug. 5. JEFF GRANIT staff

How do you measure the success of an event designed to combat crime and increase the feeling of security in a community?

With 500 hamburgers, 400 hot dogs, 800 pieces of chicken and 20 pizza pies.

Police departments across the country celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 5. In North Brunswick, police Sgt. Gina Braconi coordinated the town's biggest event yet, presenting public safety tips, refreshments, entertainment, a live wire show by PSE&G, the landing of a N.J. State Police helicopter, a water slide, a magic show and children's activities at the emergency services building on Dawn Way. There was also a performance by North Brunswick-based Marshall Law, featuring band members John Torre, Mitch Pedersen, Jeff Maroccia, Bill Crowley and Scott LaMountain.

JEFF GRANIT staff

"[Residents] become the eyes and ears of the township, so if something doesn't look right or if there is something suspicious, they can call us because they have a good rapport with us. They know we're not just about pulling people over and giving out tickets. We're forming community partnerships," Braconi said.

There were various emergency service personnel present, including police officers, the fire department and the first aid squad. Locksmithing companies, the Red Cross and crisis-intervention volunteers were also present, trying to educate residents about how to keep themselves safe and secure at all times.

"If it comes to saving my life or my dad's life, I can know them," 15-year-old Cody Shulas said about meeting all of the police officers. "I thought it would be fun to walk around and meet people and learn all the safety stuff."

Carolina and Bryan Winkler were more impressed with the kid-friendly activities. Five-year-old Carolina started screaming, "It's landing!" as the helicopter circled above, and 8-year-old Bryan enjoyed the Frisbees and glow sticks.

CHRIS MURINO

"I've always come," said Sue Winkler. "I always bump into old friends. It's a good time to see everybody in town."

In addition to community-building with her neighbors, Winkler also said that, "It's good to see how many different people are out there, and that all these people are serving our community, especially the squad members and the fire department members who are so many of our volunteers."

In addition, Austin Lysy, 18, and Rob Rask, 17, traveled from Milltown for the event, since Rask's uncle is a township policeman.

"A lot of people don't think cops are friendly, so this is a chance to see a different side of them," Lysy said.

North Brunswick Councilman Bob Davis was impressed with his town's celebration, saying, "This is a great night for North Brunswick. It's a wonderful turnout. I appreciate everyone coming out — family, friends and certainly the police."

National Night Out offers activities in South Brunswick

BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

T he boy was deep in thought. He looked around at the crowd of people, at the array of fun activities he was seeing. He had just been asked what his favorite part of National Night Out at Rowland Park in South Brunswick had been. Suddenly, his sister chimed in.

"The whole thing!" Kayla Wathen, 8, screamed.

"Me too," Zach Wathen, 6, finally agreed.

This is the 25th year for National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Last year, 10,000 communities were a part of the program and more than 35 million people nationwide participated.

Kids of all ages had plenty of things to do. You could be in a potato-sack race. There was a blue blow-up castle that kids could jump and hop around on, and a blow-up obstacle course.

The adults even had a good time.

"I shake a lot of hands when I'm here," said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein. "It's great for kids to feel very comfortable with their police force and to bring people together."

Capt. Harry Delgado agreed this is a great night for the police and the community.

"Policing now is more than just law enforcement," he said. "We depend upon the community to support that effort."

There were stations lined up at the event, as well, with police officers showing off some of their equipment, including a police shield complete with lights. Jack and Grace Manzino, 6 and 3 years old, respectively, as well as their friend Michael McCarvill, 4, were excited by the shield and asked the officer to turn on the lights again after they had been turned off.

This was the first year that the event was held at Rowland Park, instead of its usual venue, Woodlot Park. That park could not be used because of the construction at the community center, but everyone seemed to think that this night fit better at Rowland Park anyway. Councilman Joseph Camarota was happy that people got to come out to see the park, because many people are unaware of it.

"It's a great place to see a lot of people together," he said.

"It just has a little more space," Greenstein said.

Many of the residents who attended also thought Rowland Park was the superior place.

"It's more open," said Tom Talocka, who has been to National Night Out for the past 10 or 11 years. "All the stations before [at Woodlot Park] were in the parking lot. Here, you can see everything. It's a nicer atmosphere."

Talocka has come out every year for his children, who love coming to the event.

Delgado could not say that it would definitely be held at Rowland Park from now on, but that with the success of this year's event, it was a good possibility.

Near the end of the evening, kids were awed when a helicopter touched down upon one of the wide-open fields of Rowland Park.

"Why did it land here?" one wide-eyed boy asked his father.

"They wanted to show all the kids that it could land here," his father replied.