Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/25/2023
BELCHERTOWN — National Night Out will be returning to Belchertown on Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Chestnut Hill Community School, 59 State St.
The event is free and will feature multiple vendors, a magic show, a K9 demonstration, a car seat safety check and installation, a photo booth and some free food and ice pops.
There will also be a couple of food trucks at the event who will be selling their products.
National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships by picking a day for the community to meet their law enforcement personnel.
Police officer Draine Rivera said, “The main focus of National Night Out is to bring all the community together and try to make positive interactions between the police, different resources that Belchertown offers the community.”
This year, the event is also focusing on bringing as many resources as possible to the event that may not be in Belchertown.
Rivera added, “We focused on all the resources we could find in Belchertown but being able to provide resources that aren’t in town and make it more feasible for a lot of residents that might not have the ability to go out of town to go take advantage of those resources.”
Some resources include the Police and Fire departments, Board of Health, Senior Center, veteran services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Triad program, Health New England and many more.
According to Rivera, the event has not been able to take place since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic but is excited to bring it back this year.
Rivera said, “Now that COVID-19 kind of went away a little bit, we are able to bring this event back. As a new police officer, I gained an intense interest in National Night Out because specific events are important but this one is a huge priority and the best part about this one is it focuses on all ages from young kids to upper age which is why I am excited because we can bring everyone together.”
Rivera mentioned how important a relationship can be with the community as a member of the Police Department.
She said, “I think it is very important to have a relationship with the community. I didn’t grow up in town, but I wanted to do policing and got the opportunity in Belchertown. When I started working here, I didn’t know anything about Belchertown or how the atmosphere was but coming in here has been a welcoming experience inside and outside the Police Department. It allows me to dive right in and make sure the community is together and look out for their best interest.”
Rivera said, “We encourage everyone to come and take a second to check out National Night Out and it is welcoming for all ages.”
The Police Department is not sure what the turnout will be but said parking will be available at Belchertown High School and Swift River Elementary School with a shuttle service provided to bring people to the Chestnut Hill Community School parking lot as well.