Family-friendly fun was on full display at National Night Out events at Jersey City’s Pershing Field and Hoboken’s Church Square Park last night.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
A range of Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) officers mingled with a diverse crowd as families enjoyed the carnival atmosphere, complete with a dunking tank, music, a bounce house, and an ice cream truck.
Notably, a police motorcycle, van, and an armored truck were on display with their lights on. Kids scrambled over the bear car armored vehicle, with many children particularly getting a kick out of playing with the sirens.
“It’s a fantastic idea. It shows the best of community policing, bringing our public safety, both police and fire, out to the community, interacting one-on-one,” noted Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa.
Zuppa liked the carnival atmosphere for the families and the information provided by law enforcement. He noted there were a few other National Night Out events across the city where many could get to know their local law enforcement officers.
“I have supported this event for five or six years now. I have not yet gone into the dunk tank,” Zuppa noted, adding that the sponsored getting a cotton candy machine to Pershing Field.
Several organizations were tabling, including the FBI, who had information on how to join, as well as with Junior FBI badge stickers.
Councilman-at-Large Michael Griffin was also among those enjoying the scene.
“I think it’s important for local law enforcement and the community to come together, it shouldn’t just be an annual thing. The community and law enforcement need to come together more often and talk to each other to create solutions to curb crime and violence,” he explained.
Just down the road, Hoboken’s National Night Out featured a water slide that children enjoyed in beach attire. Along with a water slide, there was also a large bouncy maze and three bounce houses, including one specifically for younger children.
The Hoboken Police Department, also had vans and an armored jeep on display, along with a table with several drones.
Additionally, a volunteer ambulance core unit had a truck on hand, while the New Jersey Department of Corrections had a tent with officers and some of their SWAT equipment, including a helmet and bulletproof vest.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department table featured brochures with crime prevention information, along with a coloring and activity book featuring police officers.
The NJ Transit Police Department table featured similar coloring books at their table as well.
Church Square Park was full of kids enjoying the swings and people playing basketball, while some children had their faces painted in the Hudson Regional Hospital (HRH) tent.
1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano was among those mingling with the crowd.
“I think it’s great because it’s good for the community to see public safety interact with local residents who are having fun,” he noted.
“Some police officers are playing football. You can ask them questions because it’s kind of a more loose atmosphere. It’s a more positive impact on the community. It’s good for the community at the end of the day.”
Presinzano also thought it was good for children to become familiar with police officers and their role in the community.
“They shouldn’t be scared of them. They’re there to help you. Sometimes that message is lost. They’re out of their cars. They’re accessible. And they’re human like you and I. So think that’s positive for the community.”
