Salem Police Participating In National Night Out

From Salem Police Department: Chief Mary Butler is pleased to announce that the Salem Police Department will hold its 3rd Annual National Night Out event on the Salem Common on Tuesday, August 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The night will be filled with free activities for all ages; crafts, games, food, K-9 demonstrations, static displays of police and fire vehicles, antique cars and the opportunity to engage with law enforcement and public safety personnel from Salem and neighboring communities.

Chief Butler stated, “There has been tremendous support from our city's businesses and social service agencies to sponsor activities that make this community-building event possible. Keeping Salem safe involves community outreach and by holding events such as National Night Out - which brings people together with the men and women of law enforcement in a friendly atmosphere - is a vital part of our public safety efforts. This event will give residents an opportunity to find out more about law enforcement, social services and safety programs - all of which play an important role in making our community a safer, more caring place to live."

Schedule of events Tuesday, August 7th, 2018
5:00 Opening Ceremony
Salem High School ROTC Honor Guard National Anthem Welcoming Remarks by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and Chief Mary Butler
5:30
K-9 Demonstration
5:45
First Free Raffle
6:00 Salem Police & Salem Fire - Boys & Girls Club Basketball Game
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6:45 Second Free Raffle
7:45 Final Free Raffle
8:00 Conclusion

Over 50 information tables staffed by local organizations, businesses, military recruiters and public service agencies will be on hand offering information on a wide variety of topics.

In addition to Salem Police and Salem Fire Department vehicles, law enforcement and public safety participants include the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), the Salem Harbormaster, the Massachusetts State Police, Salem State University Police, Beverly Police Department, Marblehead Police Department, Essex County Sheriff's Department, the American Red Cross, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, National Park Service and a vintage police cruiser from the Peabody Police Department.

All participants will be treated to free pizza, drinks, popcorn and cotton candy sponsored by local businesses and community organizations.

HOME DEPOT will on site with little building projects, TARGET will hold a free raffle for 8 brand new bicycles and WALMART will be raffling 4 bluetooth headsets. There will be a wide range of entertainment for children including bouncy houses, games, face painting as well as a DJ and music. A number of local organizations, including the PEM and the Salem Public Library to name a few, will be hosting children's activities. McGruff the Crime Dog will also make an appearance.

About National Night Out:
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

National Association of Town Watch (NATW) introduced National Night Out in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more. Today, thirty eight million neighbors in sixteen thousand communities across the nation take part in National Night Out. https://natw.org/about

Photo courtesy of National Association of Town Watch