BERKELEY – Most of the time, people only see police officers when they are responding to something negative – you’ve just been pulled over or there is some kind of tragedy at your home.
That’s why the Night Out Against Crime is held to introduce police to residents in a fair-like atmosphere, where there’s games, music, food, and other activities.
Chief Kevin Santucci said the night helps form a connection with the community. He was there at Veterans Park with many other officers. They were showing kids their vehicles, running activities, and giving out gifts.
It’s important for kids to know that a police officer is someone they can trust, he said. An atmosphere like this is a safe spot where everyone can be themselves, relax, and have fun together. Most of the officers who were there have children of their own.
There were a ton of vehicles (probably more than a ton, if taken literally) on display from first responders. Families got to check out police cars, military emergency vehicles that the town leased, ambulances, and more. Besides the local departments, there were representatives from the National Guard and the Prosecutor’s Office. Even Kianti, a horse belonging to Sheriff’s Department officer Brian Stockhoff, made a visit.
Night Out Against Crime is done on a Tuesday night around the country, but Berkeley does theirs on Wednesday so that it coincides with their Wednesday night concert.
That way, it’s a larger event, Santucci said. The public is out for more than one reason. Also, it allows special guests like a State Police helicopter landing or county officers since Berkeley doesn’t have to compete with any other towns.
There was music playing on the sound system and some people were already moving in their seats before the band came on. Rock N’ Rhythm took the stage and sang the classics. Some of the members are from Berkeley, it was announced. They opened with a quick song about them before going into “Tossin’ & Turnin’” originally by Bobby Lewis. That got folks off their seats and on their feet. But they also took it down a notch for slow dancing to “In the Still of the Night” by the Five Satins.
Surrounding the crowd was a ring of tables set up by local businesses and community groups. Some were showing off their wares while some were informing people of a cause, such as affordable housing, Cell Phones for Soldiers, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Food included chili, burgers, hot dogs, fries and onion rings, and even stuff like broccoli bites, mac and cheese bites, zucchini sticks, and fried ravioli.
The food is all sold as fundraisers for the various organizations in town.
Jason Krajewski, assistant scoutmaster for Troop 83, said the boys make and sell food to raise money for camping equipment and the fees for staying at state parks.
“It was really hard last year,” he said of fundraising during a pandemic. “There were not as many opportunities. You can’t shake a can or go door-to-door.”
Sponsors paid for the entire line-up of free concerts for the summer.
