Night Out joins Jackson residents, service groups
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Jackson Police Officer Kevin Chesney shows a guest at the Aug. 5 America's Night Out Against Crime the correct way to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The annual event took place in the ShopRite plaza, County Line Road, Jackson, and included community organizations presenting information and demonstrations, as well as entertainment and activities for children.

JACKSON — The 2008 version of America's Night Out Against Crime surpassed all expectations.

"Every year we try to expand it a little bit," said Jackson Police Sgt. John Convery, who organized the event this year and last.

America's Night Out Against Crime was held on Aug. 5 at the ShopRite plaza, County Line Road. Residents were invited to come out and meet representatives of the Jackson Police Department and other community service groups.

Convery noted there was a capacity crowd on hand and jokingly said that if the festivities continue to get any more popular, the stores at the shopping center may have to be moved back to accommodate the event.

A youngster learns the proper way to extinguish a grill fire during the Aug. 5 America's Night Out Against Crime. The community event took place at the ShopRite plaza, County Line Road, Jackson.

"This year we expanded the carnival atmosphere a little," the sergeant said. "We put in more rides for the kids."

Jackson Councilwoman Ann Updegrave said, "I like to see all the emergency vehicles out here showing the residents of Jackson what they have to offer."

Jackson Councilman Scott Martin said, "It was a great turnout. My compliments go out to the organizers of the event. They did a great job. I think it's by far the largest turnout we've ever had. There was a real sense of community. Once again my compliments go to Sgt. Convery, who did a wonderful job organizing the event."

Convery said the Policemen's Benevolent Association donated bicycles for a bicycle raffle for children.

Area companies made donations of various equipment and rides. ShopRite supplied hamburgers and hot dogs.

Convery estimated that several thousand people would visit the event for at least part of the evening.

The Jackson Police Department's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) car was on hand for inspection.

A rappelling demonstration by law enforcement personnel was a highlight of the evening. The demonstration was dedicated to all air assault troopers and to the paratroopers who have been in the 82nd or the 101st Airborne division.

Representatives of Jackson's fire companies were on hand to demonstrate their equipment.

The Jackson Mills Fire Company was a hit with the crowd. Youngsters — and some dads — were allowed to climb into the driver's seat of a vehicle and pretend they were on their way to save a family from a burning building.

Children had a chance to see how a fire extinguisher works and they were allowed to put out an activated live fire.

The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad and Quality Medical Transport had ambulances on exhibit and demonstrated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a variety of first aid techniques.

Representatives of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were on hand to explain the mission of the group. During specialized training, civilians learn how to respond to emergencies with first aid, trauma and rescue skills. CERT would supplement police and fire responses during a large-scale emergency.

This year the New Jersey State Police joined the event, sending officers and equipment dealing with homeland security issues.

"We are part of a chemical, biological, radiological vehicular unit," said Sgt. Mike Macintyre of the New Jersey State Police Hazmat response unit. "We go out and look for samples for evidence collection and testing in order to provide that kind of information."

Macintyre pointed to an assortment of equipment that is used by the Hazmat response unit, including one piece that tests chemical agents.

"These are Level-A fully encapsulated [protective] suits that are worn [in potentially dangerous areas]," he said. "This is an air purifying respirator, which gives the wearer more time in [the suits] and these are chemical agent 256 kits to detect nerve agents."

New Jersey State Police Trooper Jeff Gauthier showed equipment that is used when dogs are trained as canine officers. A police dog was present for the event.

Also on hand were members of the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists, the New Jersey National Guard and the auxiliary police.

PrimeTime Showband, a Rockland County, N.Y., band led by Billy Keenan, played dance music that kept people moving.

Information was also presented to guests by representatives of the Jackson Optimist Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Jackson-Plumsted Domestic Violence Response Team, the Jackson Academy of Taekwondo, the Jackson Fitness Center, Fancy Limos.com, and the Intrinsic Chiropractic Center.

Children's identification cards were being handled by Jackson police officers Joseph Oleksy and Burt Salisbury.