Cops and Ogres: Union County Holds National Night Out Celebration in Meisel Park

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, Meisel Field in Springfield will be the safest place in the county. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Springfield Police Department are hosting a county-wide National Night Out celebration. Families and other law-abiding citizens are welcome.

Criminals, however, should probably stay home; the place is going to be swarming with cops.  The event is a police-community partnership aimed at preventing crime and drug use.

"National Night Out is a time for people to learn about neighborhood safety and to stand together against crime and violence," Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan said in a press release. 

This year's event will showcase the Union County Police, the Union County Office of Emergency Management, the Union County Sheriff's Office's K-9 and ID units. Emergency vehicles and equipment from Springfield and New Providence will also be featured.

Getting an inside look at police vehicles and equipment won't be the only attraction, though. Event sponsor Target has donated free hot dogs and water. Target and other sponsors have also provided free inflatable rides, games and activities.

After the sea of blue uniforms that the National Night Out activities entails ends at 8:45 p.m., Union County's summertime Family Flix program changes the color scheme over to green with a screening of the movie Shrek 2.

For more information about National Night Out in Springfield or the schedule for Family Flix, call the Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 527-4900 or visit the Union County website.

The Scotch Plains and Fanwood Police Departments are hosting their own National Night Out celebrations in the township and borough. Click here for details.