UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Local police departments are getting ready to connect with community members Tuesday.
Many local departments are participating in National Night Out, a nationwide initiative to bring cops and residents together.
It is held on the first Tuesday in August, which this year is Aug. 1.
- Local police departments are celebrating National Night Out Tuesday, a nationwide initiative to bring cops and community members together
- Allentown and Easton police departments will have events, but Bethlehem will not. Upper Macungie's event will likely be the biggest
- Other local events will be held in Catasauqua, Lower Saucon, South Whitehall and more
"National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community," according to the event website.
"Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."
There are about ten National Night Out events scheduled across the valley, from Upper Macungie to Easton.
The local events
Upper Macungie’s event is likely to be the biggest the largest of many across the region. Thousands of people have attended the free function in past years.
Lieutenant Peter Nickischer said the night will have rides, K9 demonstrations, food trucks, a car show, live music, face painting and a photo booth. But his favorite part is talking with community members.
“It's a great opportunity for our officers to be just accessible, out talking with the public,” Nichischer said. “That's one of the things I enjoyed the most, is just kind of catching up with people from the neighborhood.”
Easton’s National Night Out is organized by community members and will be in three different locations: Pioneer Park, Paxinosa School and the senior building.
Organizer Melody Rodgers said each event will have free food and visits from local police officers, but they will all be unique.
“Each one has something different,” Rodgers said.
“It kind of puts the human side to police work.”Easton Police Department Lieutenant Daniel Bonham
Easton Police Department Lieutenant Daniel Bonham said National Night Out is important because it allows police officers to connect with community members outside of their work.
“The community can actually see them as people, you know, not just as somebody showing up to your house when you have a problem, or taking somebody away in handcuffs, someone who's been arrested,” Bonham said. “It kind of puts the human side to police work.”
‘We’re just one small piece’
The Allentown Police Department will also host a National Night Out event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Beach Park.
The poster notes that the department sees the event in a broader context.
“This opportunity is more than a police-community engagement,” the poster reads, “but a chance to connect with your neighbors as we build partnerships and collaborations within our community.”
Sergeant John Leonard, supervisor of the Community Outreach Unit, is the event organizer. He said the evening will be a platform to promote various crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives and other community services.
“We as a community can work together to achieve our crime prevention goals. And that's the only way we can get it done, by working together collaboratively.”Sergeant John Leonard, supervisor of the Community Outreach Unit in the Allentown Police Department
Leonard said the Allentown Police Department will answer questions and engage with community members, like at other local events. But he feels it is important to spotlight other groups because crime prevention goes beyond policing.
“We're just one small piece,” Leonard said. “We as a community can work together to achieve our crime prevention goals. And that's the only way we can get it done, by working together collaboratively.”
Leonard said there will be a rock climbing wall, a K-9 demonstration, various games and a crime prevention Q&A session. He said everything will be free except the food.
Bethlehem Police Department does not appear to be doing a National Night Out event and did not respond to a request for comment. Bethlehem Township police will host an event at Elm Avenue Park.
Other local departments holding events include:
- Catasauqua Police Department at Catasauqua Park from 6-8 p.m.
- Emmaus Borough Police Department at the police building from 5-8 p.m.
- Lower Saucon Police Department at the township's municipal complex from 5-8 p.m.
- Salisbury Township Police Department at the Salisbury Elementary School from 6-8 p.m.
- Slatington Borough Police Department at Northern Lehigh High School from 5-8 p.m.
- South Whitehall Township Police Department at Covered Bridge Park from 5-8 p.m.
- Upper Saucon Township Police Department at Hopewell Park from 5-8 p.m.
