Police, Rec Department Team Up for National Night Out

Fair Lawn's National Night Out, which combines information on crime prevention tips and techniques with food, snacks and live music, will be held Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the 's picnic pavilion.

The event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., is being co-hosted by the and the . Country band Due South will perform, and soda, hot dogs and giveaways will be available as supplies last.

National Nights Out have been held across the country on the first Tuesday of August each year since 1984. The event's goal is to raise community awareness of police programs, drug and crime prevention and neighborhood watch opportunities.

In Fair Lawn, National Night Out began as a night to throw your house lights on, sit on your porch and get to know your neighbors. It's gradually shifted to a community event held annually in concert with the Recreation Department's Family Night Out at Memorial Pool, where emergency service organizations and businesses provide free information on crime prevention.

"It's always been about getting people out in the neighborhood and getting to know your neighbor, as opposed to being isolated from your neighbor," Sgt. Richard Schultz said.

The groups that will be represented at this year's National Night Out include all Fair Lawn emergency services organizations, the Community Emergency Response Team, Auxiliary Police, Fair Lawn Explorers, , Girl Scouts, End DWI, the Democratic and Republican political clubs, , and .

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