See how Baldwin's National Night Out brought police and community closer together

National Night Out returned to Baldwin for the third year last week, with the goal of building relationships between the community and law enforcement.

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé and State Sen. Kevin hosted the event Aug. 1 at Baldwin High School, along with the Nassau County Police Department and the Baldwin Fire Department. The family-friendly activities included games, face painting and music, and there was free food as well.

Thousands of communities have held National Night Out events on the first Tuesday in August for the past 39 years. They serve as crime prevention and awareness initiatives to promote police-community partnerships in order to make neighborhoods safer. National Night Out enhances relationships between law enforcement and residents by bringing them together in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

“For the last 40 years, National Night Out events across our nation have strengthened the bonds between law enforcement professionals and the communities they are entrusted with serving and protecting,” Mulé said. “We are gratified that so many local leaders are continuing to step up to build upon this great tradition of partnership and collaboration here in Baldwin and all across Nassau County.”

Baldwin began hosting the event in 2020. At this year’s Night Out, the NCPD and the Baldwin Fire Department invited an estimated 50 attendees to tour their trucks and pose with them for photos.

“National Night Out events have consistently highlighted the importance of community and the relationships we build with our first responders as they work to keep our communities safe,” Mulé said. “It was a pleasure to partner with Senator Thomas, the Nassau County Police Department and our local first responders to celebrate the unity that we cherish and share.”

Similar get-togethers are held in all 50 states, in U.S. territories and at American military bases worldwide. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades and cookouts that feature safety demonstrations, seminars and exhibits, youth events and visits from emergency personnel.

Matt Peskin, a Philadelphian who spent several years volunteering for the Lower Merion Community Watch program, created the National Association of Town Watch in 1981, and the first National Night Out in 1984. According to NATW.org, Peskin patrolled his neighborhood, working with the Lower Merion Police Department, helping with patrol dispatch, and started a newsletter to highlight the successes of the network of volunteers.

Peskin had “an aha moment” when he began to reach out to neighborhood watches in other areas, and realized that despite the fact that there were hundreds of other such organizations, there was no platform for them to connect and share information about their operations.

The National Association of Town Watch provided community watch groups the necessary information, resources and assets to stay informed, involved and motivated in their communities. Neighbors and local law enforcement across the nation supported the association as it steadily grew.

“National Night Out was introduced in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation,” NATW.org states. “The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states.”

The event in Baldwin concluded with kids participating in various activities, as their faces were covered in face paint. They got acquainted with police dogs and horses as well, extending the bonds between the police and the community as they learned that animals, too, play a role in law enforcement.