UPDATE: Annual 'National Night Out' Is Back Tuesday

UPDATE: It was just about a month ago that members of the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce and local police officers were talking about how much "National Night Out," last presented in 2008, was missed.

Tonight, Tuesday, the annual tradition of "National Night Out" will return in Bernards Township with food and activities in a new location from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dewy Meadow Village Shopping Center off King George Road.

"Everything is free," from music to food to exhibits showcasing what local police, and volunteer firefighters and rescue squads provide to the community, Al LiCata, executive director of the chamber, said on Monday night.

For the first time this year, the event is jointly being hosted by the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Bernards Township PBA.

With times being lean, and local municipal budgets squeezed everywhere, LiCata said the chamber stepped in to arrange local sponsorships, gather donations from businesses and many community and civic groups and to bring "National Night Out" for what he said he hopes will be a long run into future years.

"It's not costing the taxpayer any money," LiCata said of the new version of the event. He said the function will be somewhat different from previous years in that it will be held on private property for the first time since it started about 10 years ago. "We are highlighting local businesses," he added.

"The Bernards Township PBA and the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce decided to revive the event because we strongly believe that it fosters positive community involvement," said Township Police Detective Robert Herndon, also PBA president.

The township had started offering its own version of the nationwide program about a decade ago, but it was discontinued after 2008, with his understanding that funding was a concern, Herndon said late last week.

The Bernards Township chamber always had assisted with the event, but this year joined as a full partner to revive National Night Out as an annual event, LiCata said previously.

"With the Chamber of Commerce and support from all the Township Fire and EMS, (emergency medical) services, our goal this year is to give the community an evening where they can come out and get to know some of the people and organizations that support the community," Herndon said.

Representatives from all of Bernards Township's emergency services will be on hand to display their vehicles and equipment, and members of the Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner fire companies will take part in a joint vehicle extrication demonstration," said Township Patrol Officer Alex McKnight, who also is coordinating the event.

Music, food and drinks will be provided to the public, the police organizers said. "We also invite everyone to stick around for a family-friendly movie at 9 p.m., so bring your blankets and chairs," McKnight said.

He said people are encouraged to bring donations for the Somerset County Food Bank. "We are partnering with them as well this year," McKnight said.

To some extent, the organizers said that the event is back also because of popular demand."

"Members of the Bernards Township PBA Local No. 357 have been approached by numerous people over the last few years asking about the elimination of National Night Out," McKnight said. "We feel strongly that this is an opportunity to foster positive police and community relations." 

National Night Out is a nationwide program originally launched to help communities with crime-ridden neighborhoods "take back the night" by having residents come out to enjoy a positive community experience. However, suburban towns also have used the program to bring together residents to meet their local police, emergency workers and other community leaders and organizations. 

In the past, National Night Out in Bernards has been held on various years at Ridge High School, Harry Dunham Park and at Pleasant Valley Park, LiCata said.

"The Chamber embraces opportunities to showcase the spirit of community and National Night Out is a fantastic way to bring our business community and public safety efforts to everyone's attention," adds Robert Love, the chamber's president.

"Our membership will provide information, games, music and much more as we celebrate our community's businesses and public safety personnel," Love said.

The chamber is thankful to the management of Dewy Meadow Village for allowing the event to be held on that property, LiCata said.

"Working with the PBA, we plan on making this an annual event we can all look forward to again," LiCata said. "Come out for a positive, family friendly activity."

The Knights of Columbus of Bernardsville and Basking Ridge will be sponsoring the Child ID program with the PBA.

For more information and to get involved contact the chamber at 908-339-5937.

UPDATE: LiCata said he believes many people in the community don't realize that the Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner fire companies and rescue squads are completely staffed by volunteers, who devote many hours to training as well as responding to call.

Many local police, too, have specialized training in emergency medical procedures. Some are members of a SWAT team, he added.