From left, Mayor Lance Landgraf, Elvis, and Commissioners Maria Mento and Tim Kriebel at National Night Out.
VENTNOR The city joined families across the country Tuesday for its annual National Night Out at the beachfront park on Newport Avenue. Hundreds of people gathered to build community, enjoy some great music and learn how to stay safe.
National Night Out promotes public safety and neighborhood camaraderie across the U.S. Always on the first Tuesday of the month of August, its intent is to strengthen bonds between residents, police and community organizations. When it was first organized in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, the organization encouraged townsfolk to turn on the porch light and socialize with their neighbors. Since then, it has morphed into town festivals where people gather to have fun and learn about public safety.
Families milled about Newport Avenue to meet public safety officers from the Ventnor City Police and Fire departments, Beach Patrol, Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and U.S. Coast Guard. The Atlantic County SWAT Team gave a demonstration.
People lined up for some good eats from the food truck and children played blow-up games and some tried their hand at maneuvering remote control cars around a large ring. Others simply enjoyed playing on the monkey bars and swings.
The event, organized by Ventnor Special Events, featured two top bands, while the adults lounged in their beach chairs. Elvis mingled with the crowd and posed for selfies.
The significance of National Night Out is the unity it brings to the community. It's a time for neighbors to come together to share laughter, food and stories, and meet their police and firefighters, all in an effort to create closer relationships with each other.
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