(July 30, 2015) The Berlin Police Department will once again present the local incarnation of National Night Out, this year set for Aug. 4 from 4-7 p.m. at Henry Park.
Free food, music and educational and information displays will highlight the annual event, which includes assistance from area churches, nonprofits and community groups in order to raise awareness for crime prevention.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing said the event is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between the community and law enforcement.
“It gives us a chance to come together in a fun setting and network,” he said. “We have over 30 community partners that are involved with this, and then we throw in the community on top of it.
“Government agencies can come out and promote themselves and network with the community, faith-based groups can network with the community, and we have business and private individuals,” Downing continued. “We’re talking about a fun time with a lot of spirit.”
Downing said groups such as the Berlin Fire Company could use National Night Out to meet with members of the community and spread its message, while Maryland State Police might use the event for recruitment purposes or to offer demonstrations of new equipment.
Atlantic General Hospital will also have a presence during National Night Out.
“The overall message is about crime prevention and we’re saying we can fight those negative elements as a community,” Downing said. “All these strong partnerships make a real difference in building a community.”
The event also doubles as townwide bonding experience.
“We ask the folks to do what they can do and they come out and do just that,” Downing said. “Berlin Area Ministries has quite a few churches in their organization, but they’ll have churches say, ‘We’ll take care of the potato chips, we’ll take care of this, we’ll take care of that,’ and it gives them an opportunity to work together as a group of churches. That’s a positive experience.”
Others, from Home Depot to PNC Bank, Bank of Ocean City, and Burbage Funeral Homes, have also played a part in the happening, according to Downing.
“National Night Out allows all these partnerships to happen,” Downing said. “I think the big thing is really linking all these groups that we have in this great community together for an event. It’s not a Berlin Police Department event or a Town of Berlin event – it’s actually a community event. All those different people being involved in different ways is really enriching.”
For more information, contact the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333.
Free food, music and educational and information displays will highlight the annual event, which includes assistance from area churches, nonprofits and community groups in order to raise awareness for crime prevention.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing said the event is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between the community and law enforcement.
“It gives us a chance to come together in a fun setting and network,” he said. “We have over 30 community partners that are involved with this, and then we throw in the community on top of it.
“Government agencies can come out and promote themselves and network with the community, faith-based groups can network with the community, and we have business and private individuals,” Downing continued. “We’re talking about a fun time with a lot of spirit.”
Downing said groups such as the Berlin Fire Company could use National Night Out to meet with members of the community and spread its message, while Maryland State Police might use the event for recruitment purposes or to offer demonstrations of new equipment.
Atlantic General Hospital will also have a presence during National Night Out.
“The overall message is about crime prevention and we’re saying we can fight those negative elements as a community,” Downing said. “All these strong partnerships make a real difference in building a community.”
The event also doubles as townwide bonding experience.
“We ask the folks to do what they can do and they come out and do just that,” Downing said. “Berlin Area Ministries has quite a few churches in their organization, but they’ll have churches say, ‘We’ll take care of the potato chips, we’ll take care of this, we’ll take care of that,’ and it gives them an opportunity to work together as a group of churches. That’s a positive experience.”
Others, from Home Depot to PNC Bank, Bank of Ocean City, and Burbage Funeral Homes, have also played a part in the happening, according to Downing.
“National Night Out allows all these partnerships to happen,” Downing said. “I think the big thing is really linking all these groups that we have in this great community together for an event. It’s not a Berlin Police Department event or a Town of Berlin event – it’s actually a community event. All those different people being involved in different ways is really enriching.”
For more information, contact the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333.