The above photo depicts 17-year-old Lyndsey Supsie of Lanoka Harbor, singing the National Anthem at the 2017 National Night Out Event in Lacey Township. Mayor Peter Curatolo in the background.
On Tuesday, August 1st, 2017, the Lacey Township Police Department presented our 1st Annual National Night Out Event. The event took place on the south side of Gille Park, 56 Manchester Avenue, Forked River, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The purpose of the event was to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and our community, and to promote drug and DUI prevention and education. The event kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation by Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo and Lacey Township Police Chief Michael C. DiBella. Immediately following, the National Anthem was performed by 17-year-old Lyndsey Supsie (above) from Lanoka Harbor and God Bless America was performed by 18-year-old McKenzie Hupke (below) from Forked River.
The below photo depicts 18-year-old McKenzie Hupke of Forked River, singing God Bless America during the 2017 National Night Out Event in Lacey Township.
The Lacey Township Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the New Jersey State Police participated in the National Night Out Event. Each agency presented different pieces of law enforcement equipment and apparatus. The Lacey Township Police Department displayed vehicles, including but not limited to, marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, police motorcycles, off-road vehicles and Emergency Response Vehicles. In addition, the Lacey Township Police Department and the Manchester Township Police Department teamed up and presented a bicycle rodeo for young adults. Furthermore, 16-year-old Girl Scout Erin Foreman from Forked River also assisted in the event by presenting her newly established Lacey Township Lock-Box program which began last March.
The Ocean County Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Explorer Post #1 also participated in the event by presenting the explorer program to the young adults who visited National Night Out. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department presented several activities including a Police K-9 demonstration, a drone demonstration, and Child ID. In addition, they displayed patrol vehicles along with a mounted officer. The New Jersey State Police conducted a Police K-9 Demonstration, as well as coordinated a helicopter flyover and landing, which was a huge hit with the visitors. Once the helicopter landed visitors could approach and have their photos taken. The New Jersey State Police also presented both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles. Visitors were able to take photographs with their favorite police vehicles from all three law enforcement agencies.
The below photos depict the New Jersey State Police helicopter just after landing at Gille Park during the August 1st, 2017 National Night Out Event in Lacey Township. Visitors were able to approach the helicopter for photos.
The Forked River, Lanoka Harbor and Bamber Lakes Fire Departments, along with the Lacey Township EMS, Lanoka Harbor EMS, Lacey Township Dive Team, and Monoc Paramedics were on scene. Mayor Peter Curatolo attended this event, representing the Ocean County Department of Health, as the Director of the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center. Mayor Curatolo coordinated the Impaired Driver Simulated Course where participants got to wear “Impairment Goggles.” Detective Dimitri Tsarnas (below), who is one of the Lacey Township Police Drug Recognition Experts, assisted with the Impaired Driver course.
The below photo depicts Detective Dimitri Tsarnas conducting the Impaired Driver Simulated Course, while Officer Julie Barcalow presents the Lacey Township Police Department’s Motorcycle, during the 2017 National Night Out Event in Lacey Township.
Additionally, the Gille Park Skate Park was open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a live DJ playing music. Furthermore, the Lacey Township Recreation Department presented an outdoor movie “The Lego Batman” movie.
There were several non-profit organizations that participated in National Night Out, including but not limited to the Lacey Township Municipal Alliance, YPR of Ocean County, Hope Shed’s Light, the Rotary of Forked River, the Lacey Township Chamber of Commerce, the Lacey Township High School PTSA and the Lacey Township High School Boosters. In addition, Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) participated in the event, while the United States Armed Forces presented their push-up challenge.
Juice boxes were donated by the Lacey Township Shop-Rite, bottled water was donated by the Rotary of Forked River, popcorn was donated by the Lacey Chamber of Commerce and bags of chips by the Lacey Township High School PTSA. In addition, the Lacey Township High School Boosters gave out cookies. These items were all provided to visitors free of charge. Linda’s Pizza, 136 Route 9 South in Forked River, and Popouli’s Pizza , 44 Manchester Avenue in Forked River, both came through and sold plain pizza slices all night long for $1.00 during the National Night Out event. In addition, the Lacey Township Girl’s Softball Association sold hotdogs for $1.00.
The goal of National Night Out was to strengthen the relationship between the Lacey Township Police Department, our local emergency services, and our community. Residents and visitors had the opportunity to meet with officers from all three law enforcement agencies as well as meet with volunteers from our local emergency services.
The below photos depict Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Officer Christine Casullo and members of the New Jersey State Police conducting a K-9 presentation during the 2017 National Night Out Event in Lacey Township. In addition, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department conducts a Drone Demonstration.
I would like to thank all of the visitors who attended this event, allowing us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the community. Additionally, I would like to thank all of the members of the Lacey Township Committee, the members of the Lacey Township Police Department, the Lacey Township Department of Public Works, the Lacey Township Recreation Department, the Lacey Township Board of Education, including but not limited to Superintendent Craig Wigley, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, including but not limited to Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, the New Jersey State Police, the Forked River, Lanoka Harbor, and Bamber Lakes Fire Departments, the Lanoka Harbor and Lacey Township EMS Squads, the Lacey Township Dive Team, Monoc, both Linda’s and Popouli’s Pizza, the Lacey Township Girl’s Softball League, Tom and Dee’s Italian Ice, Lacey Shop Rite, the Rotary of Forked River, the Lacey Chamber of Commerce, the Lacey Township High School PTSA, the Lacey Township High School Boosters, the Lacey Library, all Non for Profit Organizations that participated, the Lacey Township Municipal Alliance, Donna McAvoy, Girl Scout Erin Foreman, and every other single person or organization that assisted or participated in this event in one way or another. Again, I would like to thank everyone!
If anyone has any questions in regard to this event, you may contact Lacey Police Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., at 609-693-6636 ext. 2577, or the Lacey Township Recreation Department at 609-693-1100 ext. 2203.
-Chief Michael C. DiBella