Carteret, NJ – On Tuesday, August 5th, Mayor Dan Reiman, the Borough Council, and the Carteret Police Department will join 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.
Last year’s National Night Out in Carteret drew enough participation to earn the town a 15th place NNO National Award for participation in its population category. Locally, the event typically includes block parties, cookouts, visits from Mayor Reiman and the local police, exhibits, flashlight walks, and youth programs.
“There’s nothing quite like the experience of joining together with your neighbors to take a stand against crime in your town,” Mayor Reiman stated. “Carteret has always been a tight-knit community, due in large parts to events like National Night Out, and I look forward to continuing our award-winning levels of participation this year.”
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 5th.
