Patch Receives Certificate Of Appreciation From Livingston Police

Livingston Patch recently received a belated Certificate of Appreciation from the Livingston Police Department for the website’s coverage of the Third Annual National Night Out: Turning The Light On Crime campaign this past summer.  Patch not only heavily publicized and reported about the event, but posted video footage so that those who could not attend could still be part of it.

In presenting the award, Officer Joy Klapal explained the Livingston Police appreciated the publicity and follow-up Patch offered since it was important to get the word out to as many residents as possible.

“National Night Out involves a substantial number of businesses that make monetary or product donations, law enforcement and fire personnel who donate their time to attend, volunteers from the community, media that help publicize the event, businesses and organizations that set up tables at the event and give out information or products, and township employees who help set up the Oval on the day of the event, Klapal said.

“We hope that your coverage from before the event brought more attendees.  We also hope that your coverage of the event may have been seen by someone who did not attend, but will plan on attending next year.”

The police department gives out approximately 250 certificates each year highlighting the efforts of the community to make Livingston a safer place to live.  “Turning The Light On Crime” offered safety/security demonstrations as well as opportunities for residents to learn more about the Neighborhood Watch Program, the American Red Cross, Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee, and others in town. 

Other attractions included the Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation’s Fire Safety House, McGruff The Crime Dog, Sonny Croughn’s custom trike “DARE 2B BAD,” and landings of the Atlantic Health Care Air One and New Jersey State Police NorthSTAR helicopters.  The event concluded with a movie under the stars. 

This year’s National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 7.  For more information or to learn how to become a part of the event’s planning committee, contact the Community Policing Unit at (973) 992-3000 ext. 3600 or email Officer Gary Mankowitz at gmankowitz@livingstonnj.org.