LINWOOD — The Linwood Police Department and its partners in law enforcement and public safety treated the community to a festival of entertainment and education Aug. 2 during National Night Out.
Vendors and organizations — many featuring the national organization’s drug- and alcohol-awareness message — lined the walkway between the bike path and snack bar, offering gifts and information about their products and services, as well as sweet treats and frozen snacks, face painting, games of chance and bounce houses.
“It’s really amazing to see all of the people from the community that came out for this,” Mayor Darren Matik said. “It’s pretty amazing what these guys put together for this year. The police will start tomorrow for next year. They spearhead this whole thing and reach out to the community partners.”
Volunteers such as Chris Osbeck — well known to many for working the door at Mainland Regional High School — cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs, while others served pizza, pretzels and beverages.
The Atlantic County Regional Swat Team conducted a mock arrest, complete with assault rifles and tactical gear and even a minor explosive.
Bella Caggaino, 8, and Michael Lombardi, 5, watched from behind a rope as one of the members walked past with his weapon drawn.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service dropped in for a visit, giving people a chance to check out its shiny red helicopter up close.
Jenny Hozack brought her three daughters — Grace, 9, Jane, 7, and Lilly, 3 — to the event after seeing the banner across Shore Road. They just moved to the city and were attending their first community event.
“Linwood is a beautiful town and we are really excited to be part of it,” Hozack said. “Everyone has been so welcoming.”
She said her grandparents had a house in Somers Point and they have been coming to the shore in the area for 38 years.
Members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office were there, as were staff from the Southern Jersey Family Medical Center. Krystel Holloway, 36, of Galloway Township, Kaleigh McDonnell, 22, of Linwood, and Shannon Buzzell, 24, of Sea Isle City, were offering COVID-19 vaccines.
It was a pleasant night and many gathered to welcome back the event, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
According to its website, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, while providing a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Linwood Police Chief Steven Cunningham said the police department was thrilled to bring back National Night Out.
“Hosting National Night Out is our way of giving back and inviting the community to continue to get to know the officers in a relaxed and casual setting,” Cunningham said. “It is an excellent opportunity to continue connecting with our community, which is ultimately why we are here.
Police Lt. Austin Martin brought his sons, Sean and Gavin, out for a night in the park, stopping to talk with Councilwoman June Byrne and City Clerk Leigh Ann Napoli.
Bradley Kahn, 12, Dean Yeager and Jonathan Berk, 12, were making slime at a booth under the direction of Lisa Federico, studio manager at Paint Happy.
Federico said owner Jamie Ginn is taking over Crafty Pastries next to Barristas in Central Square and turning it into Bake Happy, part of the business’ craft party offerings.
Federico said the business also hosts youth and teen camps in the summer and held robotics, mixed media and cartooning classes at Seaview Elementary School.
“We want to be part of the community — this is a great event — and get the word out that we are over there,” she said.
Kim Adamson and Pat Karol stood by as Billy Adamson stirred up the goop.
On the soccer field, rising freshmen Savannah Jones and Maddie Meade were trying to generate interest in Mainland Regional High School soccer as well as the Mainland United Soccer Association, which operates programs at the park. MRHS coaches Chris Meade and Alex Weidman watched as youngsters stepped up to try to score a goal. James Ryan, 12, put one in the top corner.
Youngsters were also shooting hoops, with Molly Lenahan, 9, a fourth-grader at Seaview Elementary School, demonstrating her best jumper.
Across the way, 9-year-olds John Borkowski and Van Thoensen were busy swinging a sledgehammer to try to ring the bell.
Cecelia Bell, 18, whose mother owns Blown Away Salon & Beauty Bar at Cornerstone Commerce Center, was carefully painting the face of Madelyn Todd, 2.
Lauren Ciszek, 41, and Trisha Volpe, 36, were trying to recruit new members to Troop 10846 of the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey.
“We need more troops and more girls to make a difference,” Ciszek said.
Matik said he enjoys attending the event each year, when he gets an opportunity to see people during the busy summer months. He also warned that the event marks midsummer, signifying the season is on its way out.
“This is a hint that if you want to get your summer in, you’d better start,” he said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff