South Brunswick Police’s Night Out Receives Top National Award

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – The South Brunswick Police Department’s National Night Out Celebration received top honors in the country, Chief Raymond J. Hayducka said Thursday.

A committee from the National Association of Town Watch evaluates all the community engagement, participation, and community support that goes into each celebration. The committee found that the department’s effort to engage with all aspects of the South Brunswick community, including age groups and various cultures made the event outstanding.

“The event highlights the great partnerships we share with our community. We had dozens of volunteers who gave their time, businesses that generously donated, and thousands who came out to enjoy the night.” Chief Hayducka said.

He gave special recognition to Lt. Gene Rickle who coordinates the celebration. “Lieutenant Rickle works hard each year to make this night a great success. His planning and coordination were key,” said Hayducka.

The event saw over 8,200 people in attendance, the largest turnout ever. The carnival-like environment featured rides, displays, food and highlighted the excellent police-community relations in South Brunswick.

Staff and volunteers served 2,500 hot dogs and 750 vegan dogs, 8,000 bottles of water, soda, and iced tea, 2,000 ice creams and ice pops, 420 pizzas were made on a wood-fired brick oven truck and served, and 4,000 bags of popcorn and chips.

Lt. Rickle thanked all the sponsors who contributed to the event this year. He noted that being recognized as the best was an accomplishment.

“This is outstanding to be recognized as the best in the country. We work hard each year, but to be recognized as the best is quite an accomplishment. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. We expanded our event like never before to offer more food, rides, and games. That was only possible because we had some great sponsors,’ Rickle said.

This year Hermann Total Distribution Service stepped forward to be a Diamond Level Sponsor, and Aurobindo, Coca-Cola, Wakefern, and Dayton Toyota were Platinum sponsors.

Attendees enjoyed music and dance, rides and bounce houses, engaging displays by the police department, FBI, fire departments and first aid squads, games and prizes, and a tug-of-war competition with the police department, fire departments, and first aid squads.

“We had perfect weather and unbelievable crowds. The partnership with all our volunteers, corporate sponsors, and residents made it a great night. We could not have done this without all the volunteers who came out to help facilitate the event, and the officers who worked tirelessly to create a fun welcoming environment for all our attendees,” Rickle said.

Hayducka said he was especially appreciative of the support from the Mayor, Township Council, and Township Manager.

“I truly believe this award is a direct result of the Township leaders who constantly show support that fosters great police-community relations,” Hayducka said.

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