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Date: 7/31/2015
AGAWAM – Agawam will highlight its public safety resource in the town’s third annual celebration of National Night Out.
National Night Out is a countrywide “community building campaign,” according to the organization’s website. It is a grass-roots effort to make communities better and residents feel safer.
This year, the event will take place at the new School Street Park from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4, with a concert to end the night.
Mayor Richard Cohen said the night is a great chance for Agawam residents to get out and have a fun community event, all while celebrating public safety. The National Night Out is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office and the Agawam Police Department.
“Many communities take part, and this will be our third year. It brings all our police personnel, emergency management workers and public employees to enjoy a night together and what we have and how we work together for the citizens of the community,” Cohen said. “The Drug Enforcement Administration will be there, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement personnel, anything dealing with public safety combined with entertainment.”
Cohen said the focus on crime prevention, even for just one night of celebration, makes a difference for the community.
Republic Services and Bethany Assembly of God both made “generous” donations, Cohen said.
“Those donations allow us to make it bigger and better each year,” Cohen said.
“It brings the community together in an event that showcases the town and what local businesses and community partners have to offer. It shows how we work together to make Agawam a safe place,” Cohen added. “It’s a community effort and it brings everyone together, which is a beneficial process … I hope everyone will come out and enjoy the event as they have in the past and show their support for the community.”