Agawam Police Officer Jeff Hichborn stands near one of the signs advertising National Night Out, scheduled for Aug. 6.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — The Agawam Police Department and its community partners will join nearly 16,000 communities across the country when it presents its National Night Out event at School Street Park on Aug. 6, from 5-7:30 p.m.
National Night Out, also known as “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” promotes “neighborhood camaraderie” by having public safety officers available to talk with the public. With a broad scope that covers many aspects of public safety, Agawam’s 2023 Night Out attracted hundreds of people from the town and surrounding communities.
Sponsored locally by the Agawam Police and nationally by the National Association of Town Watch, Night Out is similar to an old-fashioned block party with free food, demonstrations and entertainment. This will be the 40th year nationally for NNO and the 11th year for Agawam’s participation. National Night Out is always scheduled for the first Tuesday in August.
“This is an informative and fun event where children and adults can see and talk with police and firefighters as well individuals from other safety agencies, including the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and the Massachusetts State Police,” said Agawam Police Officer Jeff Hichborn, who has been organizing the event for the last several years. “There will be lots of information and giveaways for families and kids along with a number of activities to participate in.”
Agawam Police will have officers and cruisers present, and will give out several different types of giveaways, including cloth police vests, police rubber ducks, slap wrist bands, bicycle bells and stickers. The department also will have its “blue wall” social media backdrop — emblazoned with the Agawam Police logo — where people can take selfies or have their photos taken.
This year’s Night Out will mark the debut of the department’s newest vehicle, a Ford F-150 pickup truck. Hichborn said he’s also planning to display a new Drug Abuse Resistance Education vehicle if it’s ready in time for the event. In addition, there will be a DARE educational display set up for parents and youngsters to examine.
The State Police plan to conduct a flyover with their Air Wing helicopter. Hichborn said its availability depends on weather conditions and whether the copter has an urgent call for service at the last minute.
“I’m also expecting other resources from the state police and the sheriff’s department, depending on equipment availability,” said Hichborn. In the past, the State Police have brought some of their specialized equipment, including the Special Tactical Operations team’s BearCat armored vehicle.
Agawam’s Fire Department intends to bring some of its vehicles and apparatus for the public to view. One of those pieces of equipment will be used in a demonstration that has been part of Night Out since the first year in Agawam.
Firefighters will use their specialized Jaws of Life tools to show how these powerful hydraulic tools can save lives. They will quickly cut apart a vehicle donated by Interstate Towing, just as they would in an actual rescue of victims trapped in a crash. It’s scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the parking lot near the Corey Street entrance to the park.
Along with local law enforcement agencies, there will be several resource partners from the community that will have equipment on display, including the Agawam Department of Public Works and Republic Services, which provides trash and recycling service in town.
The high school’s robotics team will bring its redesigned Rosie robot to show how they have programed it to do various tasks. Other organizations that have confirmed they will be at
Night Out includes a local Boy Scout troop, Agawam Emergency Management Agency, the Family Resource Center, Friends of the Agawam Veterans Cemetery, Interstate Towing, New Day Church, radio station WLCQ (“The Q”) and River Valley Counseling.
King Ward bus lines will bring a motorcoach with a special guest, Boomer, the mascot for the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey team. For those who get hungry or thirsty, there will be free hot dogs, popcorn and bottled water while supplies last.
At the end of the public safety portion of National Night Out, the Parks and Recreation Department’s summer concert that usually would be on Wednesday night will start. Cover Daddys, a local multi-instrumentalist and vocal duo, is the featured band. The free concert starts at 7 p.m. in the band shell near the Corey Street entrance.
