It’s been 35 years of celebrating the partnership between you, your police department, and your combined efforts to make your neighborhoods safer, better places to live! You are doing a great job! Our towns and all of America will come together to celebrate this relationship, held the first Tuesday of August. This year everything takes place on Tuesday, August 7!

The goal across the country is to “promote community interaction with the police and increase public awareness of police programs in the community.” We want everyone to know that our communities are connected and ready to prevent crime! Cranford, Westfield, and surrounding towns have a great night planned for everyone. Head outside, walk to the downtown, meet your neighbors, and enjoy a night meant for families and police department bonding!

 

Cranford: (6-9 pm) Meet at the Patrolman Robert F. Hand Plaza and on front of the lawn of the Cranford Police Department Headquarters. Police/emergency vehicles and police motorcycles will be present for children to explore. Kids will be able to meet police and safety personnel and find out more about their professions. An annual NJ Blood Services Blood Drive will also take place– residents should consider donating blood as there is a huge shortage in the state of NJ! Other fun events this evening will include a live DJ, magician, and face painting! Don’t forget about those Cranford Cop Cards being handed out! Every child that collects 10 will receive 1 entry into a prize contest being handed out at a later date (collect 20 and you get 2 entries!). You receive your ticket by showing your trading card collection to the CPD Communications Center in the town’s Municipal Building.

 

Westfield: (6-9 pm) Meet at the North Avenue Train Station area during the town’s Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival – Justin Hernandez will start at 7pm! Not only will you enjoy the outdoor music, but the Westfield Police and Fire Departments will be present with personnel to meet and vehicles to tour! Other activities include a fingerprinting station, prizes, coloring station, and children 14 and up can register for the Police Explorer Program.

 

Clark: (6-9 pm) Meet at the Clark Recreation Center parking lot. Neighbors will experience bounce houses, a live DJ, dunk tank, face painting – as well as free hot dogs, soda, and water!

 

Fanwood: (7pm-dusk) Meet at LaGrande Park for an exciting evening with the local fire/police departments! Families will experience games, face painting, “Dunk a Cop”, a bounce house, food, police cars, and ambulances for touring! Enjoy a special movie presentation of “Spider-Man” on the big screen at dusk!

 

Scotch Plains: (6-9 pm) Meet at Alan Augustine Village Green (430 Park Avenue) for fun demonstrations by police/fire/rescue squad, fingerprinting, inflatables, rides, food, and a dunk tank!

 

Mountainside/Union County: (6-10 pm) Meet at Meisel Avenue Park in Springfield, NJ. Children can explore emergency vehicles and participate in games, inflatables, activities, free hot dogs, and police/fire department demonstrations. The evening concludes with “Family, Fun & Flix” and their showing of “Cars 3” at dusk. Bring a blanket, some picnic food, and be ready to hang with the family all night!