Families wait their turn to see the inside of a Cooper University Hospital helicopter during Deptford’s National Night Out on Aug. 5. Below, a county ambulance vehicle showed off its equipment.
Deptford hosted its annual National Night Out at the recreation center on Aug. 5, a two-hour event that township officials said drew hundreds of residents.
The event was a showcase for law enforcement and emergency personnel to offer a glimpse of their daily work. Among displays was a Cooper Hospital medevac helicopter, a Gloucester County SWAT car and the inside of an ambulance and a National Guard Humvee. Guests could also mingle with township police officers and firefighters, among others.
“This is my second year doing it,” officer Chris Troughton noted. “Last year, we had to move it inside for the rain, so this is my first year doing it outside. It’s a bigger turnout than I was expecting and it looks like everyone is having fun.”
The fire department was represented by a smoke simulation trailer and Inspira Hospital employees staffed information tables. Several local organizations – such as Deptford softball and national law-enforcement agencies like the FBI – also had tables and helped the township set up the event.
“People are introducing themselves to the community,” Mayor Paul Medany noted. “There are so many Deptford businesses here, promoting their business. But not only that, it’s goodwill for the community … . We love local business; they’re all here helping out. They donated so many things to the National Night Out, which is such an important night too.”
On top of emergency-service displays, the Night Out also featured a petting zoo with animals provided by Fox Run Acres and a demonstration of the Deptford Balloon Crew’s setup. While the balloon itself was absent, they did have their basket and equipment available.
The police department hosted a free ticket raffle where people with prizes that included Philadelphia Eagles merchandise, a Chick-Fil-A basket and a coffee machine.
National Night Out is a national initiative that began in 1984 and promotes and enhance the partnership between a community and its police. A key part of Deptford’s Night Out was to educate guests on the importance of public safety.
“Our police department sets this up and runs this,” Medany explained. “It’s about public safety and bringing the community together. They just do a fantastic job. It brings people out to meet our officers; most of our police department is here who is not out on patrol.
“Deptford does everything better,” Troughton said. “It’s a beautiful day in Deptford.”
