Township To Host Its First National Night Out

will host its first National Night Out on Tuesday in an effort to build community spirit and strengthen partnerships between police and the community.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at , 2465 Wehr Mill Road.

"It's part of our community policing program, an outreach attempt to work with the community," said Lt. John Christman. "It should be a fun night."

The event will be combined with the annual summer picnic of the two crime watch groups in the township, Neighbors Are Reporting Crime (N.A.R.C.) and Residents Around Dorney are Reporting (R.A.D.A.R.), Christman said.

Sponsors are many and include , a national sponsor of the event; and , , , Dan's Camera City, , , , Just Born Inc., PJ Welihan's Pub, PPL Corp., and . 

Members of the Municipal Emergency Response Team will be on hand, as well as the township's K-9 unit. There were will be bike safety instruction and children fingerprinting. Hotdogs, chips and refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be awarded.

In observing National Night Out, South Whitehall joins communities nearby and across the country. The national observance is designed to heighten awareness of crime prevention programs and generate support for local anti-crime programs.

Said South Whitehall Officer Jeffrey Natysyn, one of the two crime watch group coordinators, "It builds community relationships."