The community is invited to join with public safety representatives to celebrate National Night Out Against Crime from 4:30 to 8 pm Tuesday, August 7 at Riverside Park, Belleville Avenue and Deane Street.

This year's event, sponsored by Neighborhoods United, will be celebrated in memory of two brave officers who gave their lives for public safety, Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, a New Bedford native, and Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, an Army veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are honored to have Yarmouth Police Chief Frank Frederickson as a special guest. The chief, whose eulogy of Sgt. Gannon and call for increased training and support for police have gained national attention, will speak promptly at 5 p.m. The chief will make a special appearance in Sgt. Gannon's home city before returning to Yarmouth for his own community's National Night Out.

The event will also feature the New Bedford, Dartmouth and Acushnet police departments, the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, New Bedford Fire and EMS, Air National Guard, the attorney general’s office and other community organizations.

The family-friendly evening will include safety demonstrations, finger painting, music and dancing. There will also be children's games and activities courtesy of Target of Dartmouth, a supporter of the event.

Food will be served starting at about 6:30 pm. The food is donated by the 104th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee.

National Night Out is a nationwide community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.

The event focuses on strengthening the bond between the community and public safety organizations.

“We’re continuing to knock down walls between the community and public safety agencies,’’ said Jerry Pinto, president of Neighborhoods United. “We’re all on the same team. This night allows us all to spend a fun, relaxed time together, which helps to break down barriers. As New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro says, New Bedford is a City of One.’’

For more information on this free event, call Neighborhoods United at 508-889-1752.

Rain date is Wednesday, August 8.

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