Tenafly Community Night, September 17th, 5-8 p.m.

Tenafly Community Night, September 17th, 5-8 p.m.

Tenafly residents are invited to attend the first annual “Tenafly Community Night” on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The purpose of the event is to encourage residents to come out on a weekday night to meet and interact with local emergency services personnel and members of the Tenafly business community.

Residents will have the opportunity to see close-up some of the equipment used by public safety personnel, including patrol cars, Emergency Response Team gear, fire trucks, firefighting gear, ambulances and the equipment carried to calls.  Attendees will also receive preventative measures, tips and instructions to address some of the problems that affect residents such as burglaries, thefts, scams, false alarms, accidental fires, basic first aid tips, etc.  Tours of the Police and Fire Headquarters will also be available.

The Tenafly Recreation Department is partnering with the Police to provide amusements for the children at the event.  The Tenafly Department of Public Works will assist the organizers with the set-up and breakdown of the various activity areas.  The event will take place in front of the emergency services complex on Riveredge Road between Foster and Tenafly Roads. Since this is primarily an outdoor event, a rain date of Thursday, September 19, 2013, has been set in case of inclement weather.

The event is being coordinated by the Tenafly Police Department, as part of its Community Policing initiative. According to Police Chief Robert Chamberlain, “I envision Tenafly Community Night as a local version of National Night Out.  National Night Out is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in August to raise awareness about public safety and bring residents out of their homes to meet and greet one another. However, since August is a very busy time for summer vacation schedules it was planned as a welcome back to families and students as we approach the fall season.”  Advertisements about the event began with an article in the Tenafly Borough Newsletter.  Information can also be found on the Borough’s website and message board.

A broad array of activities is planned for the Community Night event.  Entertainment will include music provided by a professional DJ.  Other anticipated participants include representatives from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and several community participants who will provide performances and demonstrations in music and martial arts.  The Tenafly Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Tenafly Elks will provide hot dogs and hamburgers for those in attendance.

Mayor Peter Rustin stated, “this event is destined to become another of the much anticipated annual traditions that Tenafly residents appreciate and look forward to attending each year.  The Borough Council and I are happy that Chief Chamberlain has acted so swiftly on his promise to expand opportunities for residents to gain a better understanding of our public safety operations. This event will be a wonderful companion to the annual New Resident Welcome Event sponsored by the Tenafly Welcome Committee which is also held every September.”