National Night Out a success in Bethel Park
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Elena Krzywicki, 4, gives her brother, Jaxson, 6, a sisterly hug during festivities at National Night Out in Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Westley Friend looks on in awe as he enjoys activities at the National Night Out event held Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park. After having his face painted, Westley played on the playground while he awaited the arrival of Mario and Luigi. His mother, Julie, was pleased with the event and said that is was nice to see the presence of the officers and first responders in the community.
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Jack Koenig sits in the seat of a Bethel Park fire truck while his brothers, Crosby, gets instruction from a firefighter and Max (right) looks around the interior during National Night Out festivities held Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Reagan Sappan admirers the design painted on her face during National Night Out activities Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Dressed as Yoshi, Emily Atchison, 8, poses for a picture with Mario during National Night Out festivities held Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Plenty of law enforcement was present during National Night Out on Aug. 1 in Miners Memorial Park. Among the officers participating in the event were, from left, (front) Chief Timothy O’Connor, Jennifer Buzzatto, Matt Poling, (back) Ryan Elliot, Ian Patrick McGuire, Mike Dunn, Justin Beer, Mike Mincin, Giles Wright and Ryan Weister.
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Reagan Sappan, right, and her brother, Fitzgerald, show off their face paintings as they pose for a photo with their parents, Dean and Michelle, during National Night Out activities Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Sienna Sobkiewicz enjoys an ice cream treat during National Night Out festivities Aug. 1 at Miners Memorial Park in Bethel Park.
Sirens wailed and horns blared on Aug. 1 as police cruisers, ambulances and fire trucks descended upon Miners Memorial Park. But there was no emergency – only another successful National Night Out in progress in Bethel Park.
“This is the safest night in the world and safest place to be,” said Bethel Park Councilman Joe Consolmagno. “All the police are here, and we have the best and finest force anywhere.”
Mayor Jack Allen agreed.
“Our police department is top-notch,” he said. “I certainly feel safe.”
Consolmagno and Allen along with council President Tim Moury were among the officials attending the national event established to engage citizens with law enforcement and promote the idea that Americans can enjoy a night out without fear.
“This is a great event,” Allen said. “What’s nice is the kids will come up to the officers, and if we didn’t have an event similar like this, then there is no interaction with the departments. It’s also important that citizens get to know the people protecting them and let them know there is more good than bad going on in their community.”
National Night Out in Bethel Park was scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., but citizens and children queued up in lines long before the event commenced. The festivities featured face painting, free ice cream sundaes and donuts provided by the TC Candy and DonutNV Pittsburgh, PA 1 food trucks and games. The police and fire departments provided water, goodie bags and other giveaways for children as well informational handouts and pamphlets for parents. The titular characters Mario and Luigi also made guest appearances.
“People have learned from past years that if you don’t get in line early for some of these things, then you may wait a while,” said Officer Sean Gorman. “Everybody loves Mario and how he saved the princess and his brother from the dark land. It’s a cute movie,” he added of “The Great Mission To Rescue Princess Peach.”
“Mario and Luigi are helpers; very much good roles models for an event like this. Once they see them, there is a flood of kids flocking to them.”
Emily Atchison was one of them. Dressed like Yoshi, the dinosaur-like character that acts as an ally to the brothers, the 8-year-old youth exchanged high-fives with Mario and then posed for a picture.
“I love Mario,” she said. “I will go to Luigi now.”
Her mother, Elaina, shuffled her along to the next extended line.
“This is a fun event,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to meet with law enforcement and spend time in the community.”
Police Chief Timothy O’Connor noted that the premise of National Night Out is to get people out into the community and unafraid of crime. He also reached back into history to prove his point. He mentioned Sir Walter Peel, the originator of the Bobbies in London.
“(Peel) believed the police are a part of the community,” O’Connor said. “So it’s good that you are not like an occupying army. That you have interactions and can relate to the people that you serve.
“At an event like this,” he continued, “we want to get the community out to interact with the officers. We want them to get out and enjoy activities and not be afraid of crime.
“It is a success when we get a turnout like this and we get the officers to come and meet the kids and citizens. That’s our goal.”
Gorman was pleased with the turnout and noted how the event seems to get bigger and better every year.
“It’s a testament to the community. The numbers are impressive. It’s a nice, safe evening to enjoy family and neighbors.”
While the children rushed to see the equipment, police cars and fire trucks, the adults engaged law enforcement in conversation and questions. Many offered thanks.
“It’s a trade-off between youth and citizens,” Gorman said. “They want to get to know us or get to know the area. It’s a nice positive event despite some of the negative stuff we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. It’s great to see a show of support from the community.”
The Sappan family of Bethel Park gave the event eight thumbs up. Michelle and Dean brought their two children, Reagan and Fitzgerald, to their first night out and were pleased.
“We came to support the local community and we are having a wonderful time,” said Michelle, a life-long resident. “It’s good to see people all coming together. We feel Bethel Park is a great and safe community. We have great responders. Whenever we have needed someone they have been there in an instant.”
While pleased, O’Connor was not surprised to hear such comments. His force is dedicated to keeping its citizens safe every day and not just on National Night Out.
“Bethel Park is a relatively safe community. We want to keep it that way,” he said. “We have great officers and we serve a very appreciative public.”