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Neighborhoods across the country will celebrate the 30th annual National Night Out Against Crime this Tuesday, Aug. 6. 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 take part in parades, parties, picnics and other celebrations with 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 8:30 p.m. Members of the Asbury Park Police Department and Citizens on Patrol will be in attendance. Kids can enjoy a blow-up bounce house and water slide, and many area vendors will set up tables to promote and sell their products. Members of the United States Army will roll in a Humvee equipped with video game monitors for the public to use. Local service providers Meridian Health, Prevention First, Interfaith Neighbors and others will also set up tables and answer questions. Food and beverages will be available, both for purchase and for free. The event is co-sponsored by the city and the Asbury Park Police Department. 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. Representatives from Monmouth Cares, the Neptune Township Senior Center, the Neptune Township Library, Jewish Family Services and other service providers from the area will be in attendance, and kids will be able to build activity kits from Home Depot of Neptune. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will also present a new crime prevention program. Hot dogs and hamburgers from Shop Rite of Neptune will be available, and beverages and snacks will be provided by Pepsi and Frito Lay. DJ Chet and DJ Reen will play current hit music. The Midtown Community Elementary School is located at 1155 Corlies Ave.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP

The Ocean Township Police Department will host a meet-and-greet at the Target store in the Seaview Square Mall Complex from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and relocate to Wegman’s in Ocean Plaza from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Members of their Emergency Response Team, Dive Team and Explorer Post will showcase the equipment used by each of these tactical units. Officers from each unit will be on hand to answer questions and explain the resources that are available to the community. 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.

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