The block parties feature community agency involvement and local law enforcement.
Many neighborhood parties got people out of their homes this evening, and not just in the Easton and Phillipsburg areas, but around the country as well.
Today marks the 30th year of National Night Out, an evening of community block parties put on mainly by law enforcement and neighborhood watches to raise awareness of crime prevention and introduce residents and police.
Events in Phillipsburg started about 5 p.m. at Shappell Park as hot dogs cooked on the grill and music filled the park.
Police Chief James Faulborn said the night allows for the residents of the community to make a connection with each other. He said this night helps in creating a relationship with the public.
“We can’t do it alone,” he said. “We need the public's help.”
Jashawn Dodson,11, of Easton's Boy Scout Troop 6, finishes up pizza tonight during Easton's National Night Out. Faulborn said talking to residents and getting to know them on a personal level helps when people are interacting with police at crimes and other incidents.
In addition to the emergency crews, those at Phillipsburg's party had the chance to interact with bloodhounds from the Search and Rescue Teams of Warren County.
The bloodhounds are trained for specific scents, K-9 training officer Roxanne Chandler said.
She said this was the second year search and rescue participated in National Night Out, which allows residents to be educated about what the dogs do.
Many local community services also participated in National Night Out, offering information on services available, said Georjean Trinkle, associated director of NORWESCAP, one of the participants of the night.
Phillipsburg Town Council also met in the park during the celebration, which Councilman Todd Tersigni said was refreshing and good for the community.“It made sense,” he said of holding the meeting at National Night Out.
Across the river in Easton, community services were a big part of the party at Heil Park, organized by the South Side Civic Association.
Local services and businesses such as the Easton Area Neighborhood Centers, Sam’s Club and the T. Holmes Foundation were there, ready to speak to people about services they may have not known about.
“We’re here to help people, to meet and greet people and maybe save a life,” said Diane Holmes, founder of the T. Holmes Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention.
Many residents simply came out to socialize with their neighbors.
Manuel Robles, of Phillipsburg, said National Night Out gave him something exciting to do for an evening.
“It’s a great atmosphere,” Robles said. “People get to meet and communicate.”