Community Comes Together For National Night Out In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A record crowd turned out for National Night Out at Doylestown Township’s Central Park on Tuesday evening.

As late afternoon gave way to evening, residents connected with members of law enforcement and regional first responders while enjoying ice cream, pizza, and complimentary hot dogs.

National Night Out is all about bringing the public together and connecting residents with members of law enforcement and regional first responders. Local events also took place in neighboring Buckingham and in Solebury Township.

Doylestown Township Police Sgt. Jessica Whiteside, who once again helped organize the Doylestown event was thrilled by the turnout of people.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “It’s double what it was last year. We’re almost out of pizza and we still have three hours to go. It’s becoming more popular. Folks are coming out for something fun to do on a Tuesday evening with their kids. I’m seeing a lot of smiling faces here tonight.”

Over at the Doylestown Township booth, officers were literally making a splash for the victims of crime. They were taking turns in a dunk tank provided without charge by BucksMont Party Rentals with proceeds benefiting Victim Support Services.

Sgt. Scott Jones flashed a quick thumbs up before splashing down into the water for what seemed like the 100th time. Earlier, Officer Dan Carr took a turn in the tank. “The water is actually warm,”
he said. “You don’t catch much of a break, but it’s for a good cause.”

The Pennsylvania State Mounted Police made a rare appearance at the event.

Just a few feet away, Victim Specialist Supervisor Elizabeth Leone and victim specialist Karen Edwards were dodging the splashes from the nearby dunk tank. But they were taking it all in stride since the proceeds would be benefiting their work in the community with the victims of crime.

The Victims Services Unit provides free services to victims of crime in Buckingham Township, Plumstead Township, Doylestown Township and the communities served by the Central Regional Police Department.

Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the unit provides crime victims with advocacy and support, safety planning, emotional support, crisis intervention, community resource referrals, assistance through the criminal justice process, notification of Crime Victim's
Rights and case update information.

Nearby, in the open field next to the amphitheater, K9 officers Andrew Hochmuth and Officer Sean Tropiano from the Central Bucks Regional Police Department demonstrated the use of their K9 partners, Baren and Odie.

Ken Sylvester with his 1983 yellow Maryland State Police car.

The evening also featured a rare appearance by the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Unit and an impressive display of departments and equipment, including the Plumstead Township Police, Chal-Brit Regional ALS, Central Bucks Ambulance, and Warrington Ambulance; the Chalfont, Warrington and Doylestown fire departments; and the New Britain Township Police.

Also participating were the Bucks County Detectives Unit from the District Attorney's Office, the Bucks County Mobile Command Unit, the Pennsylvania Game Warden and the Pennsylvania Wilderness Search and Rescue.

Back for another Night Out was Warrington Township auxiliary police officer Ken Sylvester who was showing off his 1983 yellow Maryland State Police car. "This was the last yellow one in service," he said. "Everyone said it looked like a taxi cab." Maryland switched over to green and gold in 1984.

As Sylvester showed off his car, a Temple MedFlight helicopter prepared for takeoff in a nearby soccer field after a successful visit. Parents, grandparents, and children checked out the inside and outside of the helicopter before it had to leave.

Throughout the evening many snacked on frozen treats from Annies Water Ice and Jack & Jill Ice cream (Sloby) while others enjoyed hot dogs cooked up by township manager Stephanie Mason and supervisors Barbara Lyons, Dan Wood and Jennifer Herring, among others.

The Doylestown Township hot dog crew. (photo by Jeff Werner)

State Rep. Tim Brennan and Doylestown Borough Mayor Noni West