Cranford Police to Participate in National Night Out

The Cranford Police Department will be participating in the 33rd Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Patrolman Robert F. Hand Plaza and on the front lawn of the Cranford Police Department headquarters. This free nationwide event, developed by the National Association of Town Watch, began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and to send a message to criminalsletting them know that neighborhoods were organized and fighting back against crime. The event provides an excellent opportunity for residents to interact with members of the Cranford Police Department in an informal setting. Residents and visitors may also obtain information about the Department’s many youth, educational, safety and public awareness programs.
Numerous police and emergency vehicles will be on display, including marked police patrol cars, command post truck, police motorcycle, emergency services unit utility vehicles, and equipment from the Union County Office of Emergency Management and New Jersey Transit Police Department. Public Safety personnel will be on hand to answer questions or demonstrate equipment.
A DJ, face painter, and magician will be on site to provide entertainment for children and adults, and AAA, the Cranford Department of Recreation, and other organizations will be handing out literature and giveaways. In addition, Hands of Life Martial Arts of Garwood will be conducting free demonstrations throughout the night. New this year, there will be a rock wall courtesy of the Cranford Municipal Alliance. For the 8th year in a row, a blood drive will also be held during National Night Out.
As in the past, members of the Cranford PBA Local #52 will be on hand to provide refreshments to all in attendance. Cranford Police Chief James Wozniak believes the National Night Out program provides an excellent chance for residents to meet with officers and other public safety personnel. “One of our most important jobs is maintaining a strong relationship with the community we serve,” he stated. “This event, on a local scale, helps us build a bond with our residents that is based on trust and understanding.” Chief Wozniak noted that Cranford’s National Night Out event is being coordinated by Detective Kelly Rieder. Detective Rieder can be reached at 908-709-7344.