National Night Out Returns to South Brunswick Next Week

South Brunswick will celebrate the return of one of its largest community events next week with the 30th annual National Night Out celebration.

The South Brunswick Police Department's festivities will be held on Aug. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rowland Park, located on Broadway Road near Rowland Road. 

Organizers are looking to continue the run of success for the event locally, which has garnered national recognition. South Brunswick's National Night Out event was recognized earlier this year by the National Association of Town Watch for ranking first in New Jersey for the third straight year.  

Overall, South Brunswick was ranked 5th in the nation for towns with a population of 15,000 to 49,999. Last year, a recorded 6,200 people comprised the largest turnout in the history of the event in South Brunswick, according to police.

"National Night Out celebrates the ongoing commitment of the police department, township government, and grassroots organizers working together to make their community a better place to live," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "Time after time it is the strength of this partnership that leads to cases being solved and a reduction in crime." 

The celebration will offer free rides for kids, games and prizes, free hot dogs, soda, chips, ice cream, and popcorn. In addition, residents will have the opportunity to chat with township first responders while viewing displays from the township police and fire departments, first aid squads, and other groups at the event.

South Brunswick's Charlene J. Austin Community Unity Day will also be part of National Night Out, giving dozens of township organizations the opportunity to share information on their services and programs, while displaying the healthy activities they provide to help prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug use.

National Night Out 2012 by the Numbers (data supplied by South Brunswick Police)

• 6,200 people attended 
• 1,500 hot dogs served, in record time 
• 1,000 bags of chips were distributed 
• 1,000 ice pops were eaten 
• 100 volunteers