Community Corner

First National Night Out For Berkeley Police Department At Veterans Park Tonight

Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele and officers will be on hand at summer concert series

 

Leave the porch lights on tonight.

That's what Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele and Detective Sgt. James J. Smith are hoping Berkeley residents will do to show their support for the department's first "National Night Out Against Crime."

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"It's an opportunity to connect with residents in a relaxed atmosphere," DiMichele said.

DiMichele, Smith and roughly 10 other officers will be at the township's latest summer concert tonight, which features Separate Ways - a Journey tribute band.

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Also on hand will be members of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit, members of Berkeley fire departments and an assortment of police and emergency vehicles, Di Michele said.

The event gets underway at 6 p.m. in Veterans Park.

"We want the Berkeley police to be included to bridge the gap between the general public and the police department," Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

National Night Out, ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime,’ was introduced by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984, to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts.


Over 15,300 communities throughout the United States are expected to take part. For more information, visit www.nationalnightout.org.


"While the traditional ‘lights on’ and front porch vigils remain a part of NNO, activities have expanded considerably over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings," according to the organization's website.

DiMichele reminds residents that because of the ongoing reconstruction of Veterans Boulevard, only the eastbound lane of the roadway is open.

Motorists heading westbound can use a detour at Veterans Boulevard and Western Boulevard and take Western to Northern Boulevard to Grand Central Parkway, Lt. James Blair has said.

"Once they get to Grand Central, they can make a left that will take them to the high school, or a right if they want to get on the parkway," he said.


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