Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D — Plainview) welcomed a crowd, including Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, colleagues in government, community leaders and residents, to Broadway Commons on Tuesday for a National Night Out celebration.
Held in thousands of communities each year on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is an initiative that seeks to promote “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.” National Night Out enhances relationships between law enforcement and communities by bringing police and residents together in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
As the Beach Boys tribute band Endless Summer played, residents were able to peruse nearly two dozen vendors, including booths for the U.S. Army, the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, the Nassau County Police Department, the Nassau County Detectives Association, the Nassau County District Attorney’s office and the Nassau County Board of Elections. Northwell Health’s Plainview and Syosset Hospitals, The Boys and Girls Club, the Coder School of Syosset, Renewal by Anderson, Ridgewood Savings Bank, New York Life, Target and the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce were among local business sponsors on hand.
For the younger visitors, there were crayons and coloring books, free snacks, a bouncy castle, a fire truck from the Hicksville Fire Department and a Batmobile to explore.
“I was delighted that so many residents had the opportunity to experience the inspiring and uplifting community-building message that powers National Night Out,” Drucker said. “Not only was Tuesday night’s event a wonderful opportunity to thank our dedicated first responders for their service to the community, our neighbors and community leaders alike had the chance to make connections that will lead to more vibrant, unified neighborhoods.”