Police in McCandless, Franklin Park to celebrate National Night Out

National Night Out, a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, will be celebrated across the country on Aug. 2, and two police departments in the North Allegheny area have announced their plans.

The McCandless police department will be sponsoring a National Night Out event that night, from 5-8 p.m. at the town hall on Grubbs Road. And the Borough of Franklin Park will be host its event 6-8 p.m., at its borough building on West Ingomar Road.

“National Night Out is known for building relationships with neighbors and creating safer neighborhoods. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances,” said McCandless Chief of Police Ryan Hawk. “The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. National Night Out triumphs over a culture that isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own communities.”

National Night Out, which is held the first Tuesday in August, also an opportunity for children to understand what local law enforcement and first responders do, he said.

The event encourages kids to dress up as their favorite first responder.

Both events will offer closer looks at squad cars, various emergency response vehicles and information on various safety topics. And there will be chances to participate in interactive family-friendly activities.

McCandless will feature a medical helicopter, local McCandless volunteer firefighters and medics to engage the community, Hawk said.

“Positive interactions with our residents are invaluable and hold the key to building lasting community relationships. National Night Out stands as a time to reflect on our deep community ties and the obligations we have to each other. It’s a chance to bring neighborhoods together with the men and women who protect them. The safety of our communities depends on both law enforcement and the neighbors they serve,” Hawk said.

Franklin Park will feature members of its police department, the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, and Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company.

Franklin Park Mayor Dennis O’Keefe said the police department will have its doors open for tours. And it’ll have giveaways, hot dogs and snacks set up.

Kids enjoy getting a close-up look at the police vehicles, and they may be able to help operate the car sirens, said O’Keefe.

“People just come and they really enjoy it. It’s just a time for people to be able to come and say thanks for our first responders,” he said.

Bob FM 96.9 will broadcast live from the McCandless event and residents there can also enjoy giveaways, food and games.

McCandless also will offer a Bike Rodeo for kids, so bring along a bike and helmet. Police Bicycle Officer and School Resource Officer Michael Metzger will conduct the bicycle rodeo. Each child’s bicycle and helmet will be inspected for safety. There will be an age-appropriate course that children will be instructed to follow, Hawk said.

Community members of both areas can show their support by turning on their porch lights and spending the evening with neighbors if they can’t be at the celebration.

For more information, go to the National Night Out website https://natw.org