Local

Newburgh Hosts 2017 National Night Out

Aug 9, 2017

NNO_Newburgh police — Kids received a "badge" from P.O. Vasta during the 20th year of the all-free National Night Out event at Delano-Hitch Recreation Park in the City of Newburgh on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

NEWBURGH – Local elected officials, including Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, District Attorney David Hoovler, Sheriff Carl E. DuBois and County Clerk Annie Rabbitt participated in National Night Out festivities in Middletown, Newburgh and Port Jervis on Tuesday night.

National Night Out events were also held in Orange County in Greenwood Lake, Highland Falls, Walden and the Town of Wallkill on Tuesday.

Nicole Ramirez with Access Supports for Living assists children with a craft project during the 20th year of the all-free National Night Out event at Delano-Hitch Recreation Park in the City of Newburgh on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

“National Night Out provides another opportunity to support law enforcement and the men and women who protect us every day,” Neuhaus said. “These events bring the community together and give residents a chance to get to know police officers and law enforcement officials in a more relaxed setting. Now more than ever, we need to extend our support to law enforcement, and I was glad to see that each venue attracted a great turnout.”

Added Hoovler: “National Night Out is a great opportunity to meet the public and promote crime prevention and stress the need to support local law enforcement. Public safety starts with the relationship between the police and public. As District Attorney, my office is committed to fostering good communication between our police and our communities. The District Attorney’s office had representatives at every NNO in the County to promote that goal.”

National Night Out, which began in 1984, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to bring communities together and make them safer. It is designed to raise drug and crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime efforts, strengthen community spirits and send a strong message to criminals that the community won’t tolerate crime. Millions of residents participate in National Night Out events in the U.S. on the first Tuesday in August. Communities host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, City of Newburgh Department of Public Works Superintendent George Garrison, Sheriff Carl E. DuBois, County Clerk Annie Rabbitt, District Attorney David Hoovler and Orange County Court Judge candidate Bill DeProspo with Sabrina Schmidt, 5, of the Town of New Windsor at National Night Out at Delano-Hitch Recreation Park in the City of Newburgh on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.

“National Night Out is an opportunity to reinforce to the public that their eyes and ears are part of the solution when it comes to reducing crime,” DuBois said. “It also gives the public the opportunity to meet members of law enforcement, ask questions, be better educated, and familiarize themselves with their local agencies.”

Added Rabbitt: “Coming from a family with many members who have dedicated their lives to law enforcement, I recognize the importance of National Night Out. It provided a wonderful opportunity for police agencies to engage and interact with the community, and vice versa.”