Bernardsville Police Announce Nationals Night Out 2014

submitted by the Bernardsville police department 

Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine announced today that the Bernardsville Police Department will participate in the 31st Annual National Night Out. The National Night Out program; 'America's Night Out Against Crime,' was introduced by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984.  NNO 2013 involved over 37.8 million people in 16,242 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2014 is expected to be the largest ever.

The Bernardsville Police Department has conducted this program in the past and will do so in partnership with the Bernardsville Community Emergency Response Team, Bernards Lions Club, the Bernardsville Recreation Department, Empower Somerset and Friendly’s Ice Cream of Bernardsville.  Police Chief Kevin Valentine said that “National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and to generate support for local anti-crime programs”. National Night Out also serves to “strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships while sending a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.” 

This year’s program is being coordinated by Lt. John Gardner. Bernardsville will specifically celebrate National Night Out by hosting a family friendly movie at the Bernardsville Community Pool.  There will be refreshments, ice cream, crime prevention information, a display of police vehicles and a showcase of public safety programs.  Door prizes will be awarded. Local residents are encouraged to participate in National Night Out by illumining their porch lights, taking flashlight walks and visiting the Bernardsville Community Pool, located at 141 Seney Drive on August 5, 2014 from 6-10 PM.

National Project Coordinator, Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together and promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight for a safer nation. On NNO, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us and “give crime a going away party”.        

For Information about this Press Release or more information on the program contact:

Chief Kevin Valentine or Lieutenant John Gardner at 908-766-0037.