National Night Out: Engaging Crime Education

An event titled "National Night Out—America's Night Out Against Crime" conjures up images of dreary anti-crime pamphlets and routine educational programs.  

But tonight's "National Night Out," held in Orangeburg's Veterans Memorial Park, is far from stodgy.

For the third consecutive year, the Orangetown Police Department—with the help of the New York National Guard and Counter Drug Task Force—will host the event. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the park will be alight with rock-climbing, a skatepark, fireworks and more.

The event does have educational goals—town authorities will instruct residents on fire and crime prevention and child safety—but the events are hardly boilerplate. Residents will have the opportunity to take in EMS and police displays.