Where will you be on Tuesday, August 2?
How about a night out?
Clinton and Boylston police are hosting National Night Out events that day.
National Night Out is a community policing awareness event in the United States, held on the first Tuesday in August. The event has been held annually since 1984. It began with neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting in front of their homes. The first National Night Out involved 2.5 million residents of 400 communities in 23 states; National Night Out 2016 involved 38 million residents in 16,000 communities across the United States.
“Over the past few years I have seen other departments and communities, increasingly in our own area, participate in the National Night Out event and I thought this year would be a good time for our police department to do the same,” Clinton police said. Chief Brian Coyne said.
In Clinton, the event will be from 5 to 8 pm in the gymnasium area of St. John’s, one block from the police station.
“We are excited about the upcoming event and the opportunity to see and interact with members of our community,” Clinton police posted on their Facebook page. “St John’s and Father James Mazzone have graciously allowed us to use the parking lot and field around the gym, located at 149 Chestnut St. This will allow us more space to park all the cruisers, fire apparatus, DPW trucks, etc. . It will also help us avoid some conflicts with other programs taking place in Central Park on the same night so as not to interrupt what they are going on. We will also be making use of the big tent and seating setup. the venue during our event.” .
Boylston is also involved. Both Clinton and Boylston hired new police chiefs in the past year.
“The Boylston Police Department is excited to announce that we will be participating in National Night Out,” Boylston Police posted on their Facebook page. “National Night Out is an opportunity for the Police Department to build relationships with members of their community.”
The event is on August 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Police Department complex.
“The Boylston Police Department has hired new staff members over the last few years. We saw National Night Out as a great opportunity that will allow our new staff members to build personal relationships and our senior staff members to foster existing relationships” , Boylston police said. said Chief John Annunziata. “Like many police departments, our hope is to ‘humanize the badge,’ which will allow for a more personalized police experience. Through a community policing approach, we can better understand the needs of our community, which will allow us to better serve.” the city of Boylston.”
Both departments are holding community celebrations of the event. In Boylston, Mike’s Moonwalk Rentals and Backyard BBQ will offer bounce houses for the kids, and food will be available for purchase from WooTrucks. Keith’s Music House will provide entertainment.
Coyne said there are a lot of new faces in the Clinton Police Department.
“I think it’s important that we take as many opportunities as possible to reach out into our community to meet, talk and interact with as many people as we can. An event like National Night Out, which is a community-building campaign. That helps promote police-community partnerships, it allows us to do that,” Coyne said. “We wanted to be part of an event that brings the police and the community together in a more positive and relaxed environment. We hope that an event like NNO allows members of our community to get to know our officers in a more social and friendly environment. , and allow our officers to meet them.”
It’s more than Clinton’s police involvement. Also represented will be Clinton Public Safety, Clinton Fire Department, Clinton DPW, Clinton Facilities Department, Clinton Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), D.J. Joel Bates, Sterling Police Department Motorcycle Unit, Mass State Police K9 Unit, District Attorney. Joe Early’s Office and Fitchburg State University Police Program – 5th ROC.
“Many other city departments were willing to help, with just a phone call or email asking if they would like to participate. The Public Safety Dispatch Center, the Fire Department, DPW and other city agencies did not hesitate to accept it. be part of the event,” Coyne said. “Each agency will bring vehicles, tools and/or information to talk to people about what they do to help keep the city safe, clean and amazing.
“Along with other in-town agencies, we’ve also had a lot of support from out-of-town agencies. The Sterling Police will have one of their officers and a department motorcycle at the event. The Massa State Police will be there with a K -9, and do some demonstrations to show some of the amazing training their K-9 dogs receive and the tasks they perform.Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early’s office will be there to provide information and resources Current class of the Fitchburg State University Police Academy , in which we have an enrolled student officer, will be here to discuss FSU’s 4+1 criminal justice program and their experiences while currently attending training policeman”.
“When we started planning the event and getting commitments from so many agencies and groups, we realized that the Union Street area next to the station, where we originally planned to hold the event, might be a bit small We also realized that there are events scheduled and held every Tuesday evening throughout the summer in Central Park, which we did not want to interfere with or disrupt.
“Father Mazzone was very kind in accepting our request to use the area around the St. John’s gym, even offering us the use of the large outdoor tent, tables, chairs and barbecue grills for our event,” Coyne said. “We will also never forget Joel Bates, who will be providing us with DJ services and the great music and entertainment he always provides. Joel does so much for the community, offering his services, equipment and talent to so many organizations and events. in the city all year round.”
Coyne said she hopes her first National Night Out will have “a little bit of everything for everyone.”
“It’s our first attempt, but we have a lot of officers looking forward to the event and the opportunity to meet and talk with members of our community,” Coyne added. “We can’t thank everyone involved enough for everything they’ve already done and for joining us in making what will hopefully be the first Clinton National Night Out event a huge success and a fun night.”