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Neighborhoods across the country will celebrate the 31st annual National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, Aug. 5. Since its inception in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch – a non-profit organization that seeks to develop and promote crime prevention programs – the yearly event has become a time for members of the public to have fun with and get to know their local law enforcement officials.

ASBURY PARK

Asbury Park will host their National Night Out celebration in the Municipal Plaza parking lot from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Members of the Asbury Park Police Department and Citizens on Patrol will be in attendance. Kids can enjoy rides, a bounce house,water slides, games and music, and many area vendors will set up tables to promote and sell their products. A fun bus filled with obstacles and attractions for kids ages two to seven will be on site. The department will raffle off four new bicycles to attendees and present four local students with $50 gift cards to honor their exemplary academic performance. An additional eight to ten $25 visa gift certificates will also be raffled off. Local service providers will also set up tables and answer questions. Food and beverages will be available, both for purchase and for free. The municipal lot is located at One Municipal Plaza, just off Main Street near the intersection of Bangs Avenue.

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP

The Neptune Township Police Department will be at the Midtown Community Elementary School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with surprises and giveaways, including their traditional National Night Out commemorative T-shirt. Kids will be entered into a free raffle for one of 22 bicycles and helmets provided by the department. The recreation department is sponsoring a rock climbing wall. Representatives from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office, along with other area service providers, will have tables set up with activities and information. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available, and beverages and snacks ice cream, cotton candy will also be provided. DJ PBN will play current hit music. The Midtown Community Elementary School is located at 1155 Corlies Ave, where Rte. 33 and Atkins Avenue meet.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP

The Ocean Township Police Department will host the department’s annual National Night Out celebration in the parking lot of Wegman’s in Ocean Plaza from 4 to 8 p.m. Police vehicles, equipment & personnel will be on site to discuss trends in law enforcement and hand out free giveaways. A barbecue will be provided by Wegmans. Target is located at 2331 Rt. 66; Wegman’s is located at 1104 Rt. 35.

For more information on America’s National Night Out Against Crime, visit nationalnightout.org.

[Image at top provided by Ether Designs.]

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