POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department teamed with nearly 50 community organizations including the Family Partnership and the Junior League to celebrate National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday evening at City Hall.
Middletown and Port Jervis cancelled Tuesday’s events because of strong thunderstorms.
Poughkeepsie is one of hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country that celebrate NNO held on the first Tuesday of every August.
Mayor Robert Rolison, right, mingles with the crowd
Young bikers get properly fitted with a helmet
The annual evening is designed to promote relationships between law enforcement,
community organizations and the community as a whole.
Police Officer Karen Zirbel spearheaded the third annual event for the City of Poughkeepsie designed to promote positive community relations.
Zirbel: “Kids have a different outlook on police”
“Kids have a different outlook on police,” Zirbel said. “They are here in our police cars, putting the lights on, as the sirens are going. We have our lieutenant cooking hotdogs. We are manning a bouncy house. It’s just a fun family event that hopefully people can come here who don’t have an opportunity to go outside the city and we bring some fun to them.”
One of the biggest attractions was the police Harley-Davidson operated by Officer Tony Morrone. Attendees of all ages waited in line to get their turn to sit on the bike and have their picture taken.
Several community organizations were giving away items including bicycle helmets provided by Vassar Brothers Medical Center and books from the Junior League. The league’s President-elect, Danielle Strauch, said that Junior League was proud to support the event while promoting their mission of helping women and children. Strauch noted that the free book giveaway was the result of their partnership with the Beekman Library and members of the community.
On her way back from the petting zoo, Roxy, 13, daughter of common council
member Matt McNamara, said the evening was fun-filled.
“It’s just a really fun experience and there’s so many people I know and you get to see the fire truck and petting zoo.” Asked if it is part of her summer ritual she said “it’s something I look forward to.”
