Night Out puts focus on community safety
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Visitors to Jackson's National Night Out event examine weapons that were put on display by Ocean County SWAT representatives.

JACKSON - National Night Out, which was held locally at the ShopRite plaza, North County Line Road, on Aug. 7, is being called a success. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event.

"We estimate there were more than 1,500 people there," Jackson police Sgt. Russ Scialpi said. "I think the success of the event goes to all of the different agencies that showed up. But there was one person who was instrumental in organizing it all [and that was] one of our police officers, John Convery. He pretty much put it all together."

Police Officer Joseph Oleksy said, "John put a lot of time and effort into this and I give him a lot of credit this year. It brings the community out and lets the community know who we are, who the emergency services people are, your fire, first aid and police. We're just trying to get closer to the public. That's very important these days."

Jackson police were represented by a host of officers and equipment at National Night Out, held Aug. 7 at the ShopRite plaza, North County Line Road.

Numerous activities were featured throughout the evening.

The Jackson Police Department offered electronic child identification and child-seat safety inspections.

"It was gratifying to see such a long line for the child identification trailer," Township Councilman Scott Martin said. "I had my daughters fingerprinted and photos taken last year. I encourage every parent in Jackson to have their child fingerprinted and to keep up-to-date photos of their children."

Displays of equipment by the Ocean County SWAT team were a highlight for visitors to see. Police Officer Vinnie Rubio said that within the region, the SWAT team goes out on a regular basis.

"Between narcotics, search warrants and barricaded subjects, we are kept very busy," he said.

Richard Borys, of the Jackson Office of Emergency Management, represented CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team.

"CERT was instituted after 9/11," Borys said. "We train civilians to respond to emergencies with first aid, trauma, rescue, about 12 different courses over an eight-week period."

CERT members would supplement police and fire personnel in the event of a major emergency, he said.

For more information about the CERT program, call Jackson police Capt. Richard Ferrarelli at (732) 833-3026.

The Jackson Mills Fire Company was on hand "to show the township our new equipment and to let them know we are here to help them if needed," said Rich Leonard Jr., president of the fire company. "Our new ladder truck is state-of-the-art. It's designed for extrication and rescue."

Also on display was equipment from the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company.

The Jackson Fire Department had its mobile house on display to show residents why it is important to know how to evacuate a home if a fire should occur.

Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad members were also on hand, as well as paramedics from MONOC, to explain how services are provided to the community.

Other organizations that were on hand to take part in the community event included the Jackson Taekwondo Acad-emy, ADT alarm company, Girl Scouts, Cub Scout Pack 104, the MOMS Club of Jackson, Ocean County Providence House, the Jackson Fitness Center and the Air National Guard.

Boy Scout Troop 34 ran games for children of all ages.

Dynasty Entertainment of Marlboro provided musical entertainment. ShopRite supplied food and drinks, and the Kiwanis Club of Jackson cooked up the food.

Township Councilwoman Emily Ingram said, "National Night Out is a great way to generate public support for participation in anticrime programs. It helps to promote emergency preparedness awareness and strengthens neighborhood spirit. Research shows that when neighbors know each other and look out for each other, crime goes down. Once again this was a successful event and I look forward to more community building events."