National Night Out events are planned for Tuesday and will feature free food, games and other activities
MERCER COUNTY -- Police across Mercer County are participating in National Night Out, an annual event that aims to make neighborhoods safer and better places to live.
Cookouts and other events are being held on Tuesday as part of an effort to strengthen the relationship between police departments and the residents that they serve as a means to combat crime and drug use.
"Right now with everything going on nationwide ... it's now more important than ever to do these type of events to forge a closer bond between the community and police," West Windsor Patrolman Justin Insalaco said. "We're getting out there and interacting in ways that are not necessarily law and order."
In the past, the township's event has drawn between 2,000 and 2,500 residents, but Insalaco hopes to double that number.
Hopewell Township Detective Michael Sherman said the annual event allows the community to see police in a positive light.
"It's a great way for us to interact with the people we serve, ask questions and have a good time," he said.
In Trenton -- unlike the other towns, which hold their events at a park or department headquarters -- officers fan out across the city to the 80-plus block parties that are put on by neighborhood and community groups. Police give them kickoff items, including t-shirts and vouchers to pick up burgers and hot dogs.
"Officers get to see the community from a different perspective and the community gets to see the officers from a different perspective," Police Director Ernest Parrey, Jr. said. "A lot of times, we're called into situations and they're not necessarily friendly, one-on-one exchanges to see how they're doing. We're there to investigate a situation or complaint.
"But with (National Night Out), we're there to just say, 'Hey, how are you? What's going on in the community?'" Parrey continued. "We can break bread together. It makes a big difference."
He also sees the night as a perfect opportunity to reach out to potential recruits.
Tuesday's events are as follows:
East Windsor, 6 to 9 p.m., East Windsor P.A.L. complex, 30 Airport Rd.
Ewing, 6 to 8 p.m., Ewing Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Rd.
Hamilton, 5 to 8 p.m., police headquarters, 1270 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd.
Hightstown, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Rocky Brook Park, Bank Street
Hopewell Valley, 6 to 8 p.m., corner of Denow and Van Brunt roads
Lawrence, 5:30 to 8 p.m., municipal complex, 2211 Lawrence Rd.
Princeton, 5 to 8 p.m., Community Park Pool, Witherspoon Street
Robbinsville, 6 to 9 p.m., police headquarters, 1117 Route 130
Trenton, 5 to 10 p.m., events scattered throughout city's four wards
West Windsor, 6 to 10 p.m., Community Park, 193 Princeton-Hightstown Rd.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.