Vernon Ready For Its 39th National Night Out

VERNON, CT — Hundreds of Vernon residents are expected to turn out for National Night Out, scheduled this year for Aug. 2.

National Night Out is an annual event designed to build police and community partnerships. The 2022 version will be Vernon's 39th annual National Night Out.

Locally, National Night Out is hosted by the Vernon Police Department and the Vernon Community Network and is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ladd & Hall parking lot, 20 East Main St. There will be free food and ice cream, free school supplies, free amusements including a bounce house and other giveaways.

"National Night Out is a family-friendly and fun opportunity for our residents to meet and talk to our police officers in an informal setting, and obtain valuable information from organizations that serve our community," Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "A strong partnership between police and residents makes for a stronger Vernon."

"Public safety is our top priority and National Night Out helps further our efforts to promote community-oriented policing," Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said.

Vernon Police are asking people across Vernon to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

"Meeting with residents, sharing information, hearing ideas and concerns helps police continue to build relationships," Police Chief John Kelley said.

Vernon’s National Night Out event features a block party-like atmosphere with a cookout, visits from police and firefighters, contests, youth activities, community-building activities and booths hosted by local groups, such as the Rockville Public Library and the Vernon Public Schools.

"National Night Out is a fun event for the entire community," said Tom Didio of the Vernon Community Network. "More than 40 organizations are participating and there will be free school supplies, great and useful information and of course free food and ice cream."

More than 16,400 communities across the country, including many in Connecticut, are expected to participate in National Night Out. The goal of National Night out is "to promote crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and further strengthen police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, aware and fighting back."

The Vernon Police Department and the Vernon Community Network is invite residents, neighborhood groups, local businesses and community groups to attend and participate in National Night Out. To sign up for a booth or attend, please contact Didio at Thomas.didio@snet.net or Lt. Robert Marra at rmarra@vernon-ct.gov.