Monroeville police: National Night Out event proves successful after missing out last year

Alana Grant marveled at the big white-and-yellow STAT MedEvac helicopter parked on one of the grass fields in Monroeville Community Park West.

“Please come sit with me,” the 5-year-old North Versailles resident begged her 10-year-old brother Quincy Palmer, who was occupied with his popcorn.

Grant beamed happily as Flight Nurse Trista Weiss invited them to take a seat inside the flying ambulance.

The helicopter tour was part of Monroeville’s participation in “National Night Out” on Tuesday night. The annual nationwide campaign through the National Association of Town Watch aims to build and strengthen community and police relations while also bringing neighbors together.

“I love being able to support the community and safety in community,” said Candi Westerberg of Monroeville. “This just displays what the professionals do.”

It was her fifth time attending National Night Out.

Police Chief Doug Cole said Monroeville has participated in the event for more than 15 years. The event took place in conjunction with other groups until the Monroeville Police held the event on their own three or four years ago.

Cole was surprised to see the large turnout for the event, as a diverse group of families and community members came out to attend.

“This turnout is unbelievable,” Cole said. “After this year, everybody wanted to get out.”

From 6 to 9 p.m., residents had lots to do. There was music, games and food. Community members could also get a glimpse into first responders’ vehicles and equipment. Children were boosted into the driver’s seat of firetrucks by firefighters from the Monroeville Fire Department.

“It is great being able to interact with people. We love what we do, and this gives us the opportunity to meet the residents,” said Broderick Balanti, captain of the Monroeville Fire Department Company No. 4.

Ashley Schuetz, a Pitcairn resident, came to the event for a second time after attending in 2019. Her 4-year-old son, Charlie Edmunds, loves firetrucks.

“It’s really nice being out here,” she said. “They did such a great job putting together a community event.”

People gathered on the dance floor as Samuel “DJ SammyG” Levy played songs such as the “Cha Cha Slide,” “Wobble” and “Electric Slide.” Others mingled and talked as they grabbed popcorn or a hot dog.

Michelle Dusch, administrative assistant to the police chief, organized the event for the first time this year. After not having a National Night Out last year due to the covid pandemic, Dusch wanted to make sure the community had something to look forward to this summer.

Seeing the turnout reassured her that she made the right choice.

“We have been locked up in our houses for a year, so the community needed this,” Dusch said.