National Night Out, a police-sponsored community gathering held Aug. 1 at towns and cities all over the U.S., was a big hit on a perfect Tuesday evening on the campus of Salisbury Elementary School, along Gaskill Avenue.
Salisbury Township Police Department Chief Donald Sabo was effusive in his description of the event. “It’s a perfect night and an ideal location for our annual Night Out event. It’s so good to be able to interact with so many of our township residents,” he said.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
The countrywide NNO program was introduced in Pennsylvania in 1984 and now boasts a participation of 38 million neighbors in 17,000 U.S. communities.
In years past, the local event was held on the grounds of Salisbury Middle School, along Devonshire Road, in the western portion of the township.
“With extensive renovations going on at the middle school over the summer, we looked to Salisbury Elementary School’s campus for this year’s gathering,” Salisbury officers Chris Casey and Kevin Kress, the event’s principal organizers, said.
Anecdotal comments among many of those attending endorsed the change of venue. Sabo estimated this year’s event drew more neighbors than previous years.
The attendees seemed to be all smiles as they enjoyed free food and drinks, games, bounce equipment, face painting, musical entertainment, a basket raffle, a 50/50 drawing and police and fire vehicles on display.
The prize baskets, which were extensive, were donated by local businesses and residents, with proceeds of the raffle and the 50/50 drawing helping to cover expenses for the event.
PRESS PHOTOS BY JIM MARSH Salisbury Township National Night Out activities for 2023 are held Aug. 1 at Salisbury Elementary School along Gaskill Avenue.
Salisbury Township residents line up for comfort food offerings of macaroni and cheese, baked beans, hot dogs and dessert served by Paragon Catering of Fountain Hill at Salisbury Township's police department-hosted National Night Out activities held Aug. 1 at Salisbury Elementary School.
Artist Donna Haney, of Bethlehem, gives Logan Kirkpatrick a unique face paint design.
Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company firefighter Matt Bain puts Emma Williams in the driver's seat of a fire company engine.
Salisbury resident Lauren Brown treats her dog Scout to a night out Aug. 1 at Salisbury Elementary School.
Scott and Tammy Christ encourage their son Ronan as he tries for a bull's-eye at the football challenge game on National Night Out Aug. 1.
Phillip and Tateyanna Ruiz try their hand at a wooden block tower game, pulling out blocks and repositioning them without collapsing the tower at National Night Out Aug. 1.
PRESS PHOTO BY JIM MARSH Camron Casey and Skylah Ruiz try to keep their plates spinning while Janalise Porras and Ivonne Quiles cheer them on.
Jeanne Weiss snaps a phone photo of her granddaughter Brook Weiss in a police vehicle at National Night Out.
Patrol officer Bryan Losagio assists Connor McSparin on a Salisbury Police Department motorized dirt bike used by officers during law enforcement and rescue duties on steep terrain areas in the eastern portion of the township.
Baylor Zellner flashes his souvenir police badge at National Night Out Aug. 1.
Danielle Candia is proud of the face paint hearts she had applied at National Night Out.
Michelle and Alyssa Martucci and Kaelyn Beers hope they hold a winning ticket in the basket raffle at National Night Out.
Salisbury Township Police Chief Donald Sabo and Patrol Officer Kyle Sabulsky are happy with the resident turnout at the township's National Night Out community gathering Aug. 1.
