National Night Out events growing in City of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- National Night Out events in Pittsburgh have grown substantially in the last ten years.
The nationwide celebration, which is in its 40th year, provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships between first responders and the communities they work to keep safe.
First responders are always there when you need them, but you don't often have the chance to get to know your neighborhood heroes. That's what National Night Out is all about. People get to meet face-to-face with police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.
"It's a matter of them meeting each other as equals and the sense that they are all just human beings," said John Tokarski, a SafetyTogether coordinator with the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Safety.
Events are happening across the region, so you won't have to go far to enjoy cookouts, potlucks, live music, DJs, dancing, games, and safety demonstrations, and start building new relationships.
"It gives me the opportunity to help people understand that these are real people who serve them, have similar lifestyles that they do, the same type of problems, joys, and highs, but it also gives our public servants the opportunity to meet the residents in ways they may not ever meet them, more on a personal basis, breaking bread, having food, playing games, having fun," said Tokarski.
Tokarski said the city's Night Out celebrations have grown significantly. Nine years ago, they had 11 events, and this year, there are 42 events in different neighborhoods. The goal is to get up to 50 next year.
Some of the big festivities include one sponsored by Pittsburgh police, EMS, and Fire at Schenley Plaza in Oakland from 6 to 8 p.m. Another event, sponsored by Pittsburgh Park Rangers, will happen at Frick Park by Blue Slide Park from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tokarski said this is all the result of the community planning the celebrations.
"They host them, they fund them out of their own pocket, matter of fact, tomorrow morning, I'll get calls about next year," he said.
The hope is that new bonds between the community and first responders will help increase overall safety in neighborhoods.
This year, the REACH group will be involved in the events.
"We have a team here in Pittsburgh that's funded by Mayor Gainey's plan for peace effort called the REACH team. The REACH team is comprised of men and women who go out in the community, and they head off some of the issues, some of the beefs that come up in communities that cause sometimes violence that aren't necessary, and they do a fantastic job, they'll be out in the communities as well tonight," Tokarski said.
He said the nationwide campaign, now in its 40th year, is making an impact in the city and laying the foundation for tomorrow.
"The most important thing is when the kids have a chance to sit on the motorcycle, get on the fire truck and meet these guys in uniform who they look up to sometimes like, 'Wow, they're heroes,'" said Tokarski.
You can learn more about National Night Out by visiting this link.
A list of event locations throughout the city can be found below.
