An Interstate Towing Inc. display.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
For its 30th year, Chicopee hosted its rendition of the event at Sarah Jane Park on Aug. 7. Multiple vendors, organizations, businesses and public safety units set up booths to engage with the community.
The event also featured K9 demonstrations, a wing eating contest, performances from different school musical groups and a flashlight walk.
Police Chief Patrick Major talked about the importance of building relationships between the Police Department and community.
“National Night Out, what it means to me, is partnership. The city of Chicopee is fortunate to have such fantastic partners. I know speaking just from the Police Department, all the agencies that we’re involved with, they come out to support us and engage with our community to help us form better relationships with the citizens of Chicopee,” he said.
City Council President Frank Laflamme also spoke about National Night Out in Chicopee and how the event has grown.
“One good thing is this event has developed and every year it’s getting bigger and bigger and I want to thank all the volunteers on it, all the city department heads and also all the vendors that come out on behalf of their companies or the cities or the sheriff’s department or wherever, to support this super, super organization for the whole city,” Laflamme said.
He added, “It’s a community thing where it brings the police, the Fire Department and everyone together and have a great time. Thank you all for being here and let’s enjoy.”
Police Officer Doug Lambert announced that last year Chicopee’s National Night Out was recognized for outstanding participation by the National Night Out organization. Chicopee was the only city in Massachusetts to receive the recognition.
“Everyone have a great night and we look forward to working with you next year also,” Lambert added.
State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) also took the time to give a shoutout to all the public safety officers who keep everyone safe.
He said, “I want to give my salute to all of our friends that keep us safe every single day. The sheriff’s department, CPD, all of our collaborative and all of the vendors out there making this day extremely special.”
