National Night Out a great way to get to know Windham’s first responders

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Windham Police Department are looking forward to meeting the community and showcasing what they do every day for public safety during the popular community gathering called National Night Out.

Held annually on the first Tuesday evening in August, this year’s National Night Out will be conducted from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Windham Public Safety Building at 375 Gray Road in Windham. The event is an opportunity for the residents of Windham to meet with local law enforcement and public safety personnel in a casual setting and learn more about the important work that they’re doing protecting the town.

National Night Out is entirely free and open to the public and will include food, and a vast array of fun activities for the entire family.

Representatives from the Windham Police Department, the Windham Fire Department and Windham Parks and Recreation will be on hand for the event and participants will be able to view police and fire equipment and emergency vehicles up close.

The original National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and protection of community-based, law enforcement-affiliated crime prevention activities.

Over the years, National Night Out has developed into an effective crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community.

Windham Police officials say that community involvement in crime prevention generated through a multitude of local activities and events such as National Night Out assist in bringing prominent attention to crime prevention programs offered by law enforcement agencies and assist in the dissemination of information about successful strategies used by police officers to thwart crime in the town.

The National Night Out program is designed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Along with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone who attends, there will be active demonstrations at the National Night Out event by a Windham Police K-9 dog and handler, drone flights and demonstrations, and displays of specialized equipment and information available about various law enforcement programs used by the Windham Police Department. There will also be bounce houses for children, a Kids Coloring Contest, a Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway and a demonstration of ax throwing.

Windham police officers and firefighters and first responders will be on hand and in unform to meet the public, talk with them about their duties, and promote camaraderie with Windham residents.

All National Night Out activities generate a true sense of community under positive circumstances, Windham Police officials say.

For more information and specific details about this year’s National Night Out activities in Windham, call 207-892-2525. <