LAKEHURST – With animals, treats and rides, the National Night Out was like a miniature county fair.
The National Night Out is held in communities throughout the country with the goal of creating a laid-back atmosphere to interact with police officers. Most people meet a cop during the most stressful times of their lives. The concept here is that the police want to meet and get to know you outside of any difficult situation. That way, people know they can go to them when there is trouble.
The event is jointly held by the Manchester and Lakehurst police departments, and this year it was held at the Fuccile Sports Complex in Lakehurst.
The “sports complex” part of the park was significant, as there was some athletic activities being held on the baseball diamond.
A handheld radar gun was testing the speed of fast pitches. When The Manchester Times was in attendance, a township youth had the record at 68 mph. One of the people running the event even locked his foot behind the boy’s back foot so he could use it the same way as the rubber strip on the pitcher’s mound.
Nearby was a dunk tank, where officers took turns taking a dive when kids threw the ball. In all of the years that this reporter has covered events like this, the children at this dunk tank seemed to be the most accurate.
The lines from home plate to first and third bases were filled with vendors. Some were selling services, some were selling jewelry or crafts. There were also tables set up by official groups such as the Ocean County Health Department.
It was more than just local police officers. The New Jersey State Police had their helicopter there. It landed on the outfield for people to take pictures with it, and then took off before dark.
A K-9 unit impressed people with being able to find a screwdriver randomly hidden in a field. The tool was being sought because it’s used by car thieves.
The county police horse was there as well, which is always a big hit at events like this. People could also meet animals at the petting zoo and bunnies at a 4-H booth.
With all of this action going on, there were lessons to be learned as well. There were announcements about how the state’s new e-bike laws are going to impact you.
Officers also gave kids goggles that showed what it was like to be impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Ma’Laysa Duffy took a shot at it, walking carefully and unevenly on the soft mat that was set up, as an officer watched close by, ready to catch her if she fell. Her hands waved around, trying to balance herself.
“I was really dizzy,” she said after. “I felt like I was going to fall.”
