Update: National Night Out 2011 Canceled for Tonight

Crime Watch of Stratford will be hosting its National Night Out event at Pender’s Field at Longbrook Park from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight.

National Night Out is an event held throughout the U.S. and Canada in August involving local residents, police, fire, businesses, and paramedics in over 11,000 communities. Nationally, over 35 million people are expected to participate in this year's National Night Out event.

“This is an event for neighbors nationwide to come out and stand united against crime,” said Mike Peskin, creator of the event and its National Project Coordinator.

This year Stratford is pleased to have the Stratford Crime Watch organization, the Stratford Police Department, Target stores, Milford Bank and the Stratford Rotary Club as sponsors of this wonderful event.

National Night Out is designed to:

1. Heighten crime, drug, violence prevention awareness
2. Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs like Crime Watch of Stratford
3. Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police -- community partnerships
4. Send a message to criminals letting them know that we are organized and fighting back.

What to expect: When you attend Stratford’s National Night Out 2011 be prepared to have some family fun and enjoy the free food, a raffle for donated prizes. During the course of the afternoon there will be multiple opportunities for everyone to join in games. There will be vendors handing out free materials and products.

Another big hit at last year’s event were the free bike helmets for children. There will be a Moon Bounce supplied by the Stratford Indian Guides/Indian Princesses, an big inflatable slide and a Dunk Tank. This is our community and National Night Out helps everyone in Stratford come together to learn how to keep our town safe.

This year we are recognizing our wounded veteran from Connecticut. We will have the Fisher House Foundation on hand. Normally, the National Night Out event is completely free to all attendees. This year we are asking each attendee to donate just one dollar to help the many wounded veterans and their families from Connecticut. One dollar will help to establish a Fisher House near the Veterans Hospital in West Haven. Please keep our veterans in mind as you and your families enjoy our event.

Longbrook Park is located at 240 Hurd Ave.