Over 6k Attend National Night Out in South Brunswick

With one of the top rated National Night Out celebrations in the state of New Jersey and nationwide, Tuesday evening's return of the annual event in South Brunswick once again lived up to expectations.

About 6,500 people are estimated by South Brunswick Police to have attended the festivities under cloudy skies that threatened rain, but didn't put a damper on the celebration. South Brunswick's National Night Out event was recognized earlier this year by the National Association of Town Watch for ranking first in New Jersey for the third straight year.  

Overall, South Brunswick was ranked 5th in the nation for towns with a population of 15,000 to 49,999.

The celebration offered free rides for kids, games and prizes, free hot dogs, soda, chips, ice cream, and popcorn. Residents also mingled with township first responders while viewing displays from the township police and fire departments, first aid squads, and other groups at the event.

South Brunswick Police Deputy Chief Kevin Hughes noted the importance of building a relationship between officers and members of the community in fighting crime through the concept of community policing (see video above). 

National Night Out also brought the return of Community Unity Day, which brings out dozens of South Brunswick groups and organizations to share information on their services and programs, while also offering displays on the healthy activities they provide to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. This year’s pavilion will include various township departments, school groups, local hospitals and health organizations, religious and faith-based groups and non-profit organizations.