Officials in Ocean Pines and Berlin are both gearing up for annual National Night Out events on Aug.6, where residents can meet and chat with their community’s first responders.
Attendees are pictured at the 2023 National Night Out in Ocean Pines
File photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Ocean Pines and Berlin are each gearing up for this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug.6, where residents can meet and chat with their community’s first responders.
Each community’s police department hosts the festivities. Berlin’s event is slated for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while Ocean Pines’ night will kick off at 6 p.m.
Towns across the United States participate in National Night Out. Created by the official organization of the same name, the function aims to “enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community…and provide a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.” The event is scheduled for the first Tuesday of August each year.
“It will be a fun night for the community to visit with their police department and Ocean Pines Association representatives,” OPA Police Chief Tim Robinson said.
The Ocean Pines event will offer hot dogs, sodas, and juice boxes. Robinson noted that the department partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines and Ocean City, a group dedicated to fostering positivity within communities, to provide the food and drinks.
Local law enforcement, state police, the Department of Natural Resources, and Worcester County Animal Control will be present to share their work with residents. Representatives from Atlantic General Hospital, OPA Public Works, and the Worcester County Health Department will also be out to chat with attendees.
Robinson, whose first day as the Ocean Pines Police Department’s chief was at last year’s National Night Out, hopes the evening will soften officers’ approachability to OPA visitors, renters, and homeowners.
“When they know we are here in a laid-back atmosphere, people are comfortable approaching their law enforcement leaders and getting to know us,” he said.
Ocean Pines’ National Night Out will be held at White Horse Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 6. Robinson added that the food and law enforcement departments will also have bouncy houses and games for the kids. The community’s recreation and parks department made these activities possible.
“We encourage everyone to come out and meet all their community partners here in Ocean Pines,” the police chief said.
Berlin is also getting ready for its event.
Crowds are pictured at the Berlin Police Department’s booth at the 2023 National Night Out in Berlin.
File photo
The town’s police chief, Arnold Downing, said they have 35 partners this year, including first responders, law enforcement departments, and faith-based organizations. Sonrise Church is set to provide the hot dogs, while other groups will handle popcorn and snow cones.
“We don’t have to pay a single dime for the event because of the partners,” Downing noted.
Representatives from the health department, Buckingham Elementary School, and the Bank of Ocean City will attend to interact with the community. Teachers will hand out books and mingle with current and former students. Other groups will also be handing out backpacks and school supplies.
While sports practices are ongoing, Downing said he expects to miss a few kids during the school supply handout but intends to save items for any child absent.
The Berlin police chief said that there will be Olympic-themed games for kids and a few raffles. While the winning items have not been picked out yet, they have given away bicycles and scooters in the past.
The Town of Berlin’s National Night Out is scheduled for August 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Henry Park.
“Berlin has a lot of events all year long,” Downing said. “This is a big event, an apex. We expect as many as 1,500 to come, but weather will dictate attendance.”
Both the Berlin and the Ocean Pines events are entirely free and open to the public.