National Night Out is Tuesday as communities around the country, including in the Philadelphia region, participate in the police-awareness event that began on the Main Line.
National Night Out is designed to raise drug and crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime efforts, strengthen community spirits and the police-community bond and send a strong message to criminals that the community is fighting back, according to organizers.
The program began in Philadelphia when founder, Matt Peskin, realized the Lower Merion Police Department and many like them had no platform to connect to the community, according to the National Association of Town Watch, which Peskin founded in 1981.
In 1984, NATW introduced National Night Out.
Across the region police departments are hosting block parties, cookouts, carnivals, pool parties and flashlight walks.
Pennsylvania
Bucks County
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Bensalem Township -- The Pavilion of the Township Municipal Complex -- 5 to 7 p.m.
Chester County
Kennet Square -- 200 Block of East Linden Street in Kennet Square -- 5 to 7 p.m.
Montgomery County
Hatboro Township -- West Moreland Avenue Municipal Shoppers Parking Lot -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Horsham Township -- Horsham Municipal Complex at 1025 Horsham Road -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Lansdale Township -- Lansdale Borough police Department on One Vine Street -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Plymouth Meeting -- Target at 2250 Chemical Road -- 6 p.m.
Wynnewood Township -- Wynnewood Shopping Center at 50 East Wynnewood Road -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Police Department’s 3rd District -- 1021 South 4th Street -- 5 to 8 p.m. Mayor Jim Kenney is expected to attend.
Philadelphia 203rd Legislative District -- Masjidullah, Inc. -- 5:30 to 8 p.m.
New Jersey
Atlantic City County
Absecon -- Pitney Park at the corner of Pitney Road and Crestview Avenue -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Somers Point -- William Morrow Beach -- 5 to 8 p.m.
Burlington County
Medford Township -- 91 Union Street -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Camden County
Cherry Hill Township -- Cherry Hill Municipal Complex at 820 Mercer Street -- 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Clementon Township -- 144 Berlin Road -- 6 to 9 p.m.
Gloucester Township -- Throughout the township -- 6 to 10 p.m.
Winslow Township -- Winslow Township High School at 10 Cooper Folly Road -- 6 p.m.
Mercer County
Hamilton Township -- Police Division Headquarters at 1270 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road -- 5 to 8 p.m.
Delaware
New Castle County
Wilmington Township -- Helen Chambers Park at 600 North Madison Street -- 6 to 8 p.m.
Newark -- Academy Street -- 6 to 9 p.m.
This is in no way an exhaustive list so check with your local civic association and/or police department to see if there is an event in your town.
