National Night Out a success in Bethel Park
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Charlie Conley, 6, gets her picture taken with Sky from Paw Patrol. The mascot made an appearance during National Night Out on Aug. 2 at Miner’s Memorial Park in Bethel Park
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Benjamin and Gavin Mills of Bethel Park enjoy their frozen treat during National Night Out held Aug. 2 at Miner’s Memorial Park.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ivy Schneider, 7, gets a glimpse of the design painted on her face during one of the activities held during National Night Out on Aug. 2 in Bethel Park.
By Eleanor Bailey
Bill Schneider brought his children Ivy, Brody and Heath to enjoy National Night Out activities held Aug. 2 in Bethel Park.
Jack Braden, 2, points to the fire truck while his mother, Melanie, holds him during activities at National Night Out held Aug. 2 in Bethel Park.
Braxton Crow takes a drink of water offered to him by his mother, Justine, during National Night Out. The Bethel Park Police Department sponsored the event Aug. 2 in Miner’s Memorial Park and provided food, face painting, and literature on safety. Equipment and patrol cars were also on display.
By Eleanor Bailey
Detectives Justin Beer and Matthew Poling pose beside the vehicle they use to patrol the streets of Bethel Park. The pair and their squad car was the main attraction at National Night Out.
By Eleanor Bailey
Craig Thompson and his son, Bradley, look at the patrol cars on display during National Night Out.
Bethel Park police officers hand out free pizza during National Night Out held Aug. 2 at Miner’s Memorial Park.
Eleanor Bailey/ The Almanac
Bethel Park police sergeants Mike Mincin and Jeff Blasko socialize with citizens during National Night Out festivities held Aug. 2 at Miner’s Memorial Park.
Bethel Park police swarmed Miner’s Memorial Park on Aug. 2, but no crime was committed. Only fun and frivolity prevailed as law enforcement engaged with citizens during National Night Out.
“We try to have an event to bring the community together and take a bite out of crime at the same time,” said BP Chief of Police Timothy O’Connor.
“All across America there are events, porch parties, parades, etc. just to show the good, law-abiding people that they can come out at night and not have any fear.”
About the only anxiety was would there be enough pizza and Kona Ice to feed and quench the thirst of the throngs in attendance.
“I did not expect it to be so busy,” said Justine Crow.
Crow brought her 22-month-old son, Braxton, because he loves police cars and emergency vehicles.
“He loves the sounds they make. Me? Not so much,” Crow said.
In addition to police cruisers, a fire truck and plow trucks were on display for citizens to view. Some even sat inside the vehicles to experience what it would be like to be on patrol.
Mascots from Paw Patrol, including Sky, were big hits with the children as they posed for pictures, embraced and shook paws with fans.
“I think this is a great event,” said Lindsey Conley.
Conley attended with her husband, Zack, and two children, Charlie, 6, and Addie, 2.
“I am pretty blown away at the amount of people here.”
In addition to free pizza, frozen ice treats, bottled water and equipment, the police department handed out promotional information to curb crime and arranged for artists to paint faces.
“It’s an awesome night,” said Bill Schneider.
Since he lives in the neighborhood, Schneider comes to the park for softball games and to play in the green space with his daughter, Ivy, 6, who enjoyed the face painting, and sons, Heath and Brody, who enjoyed the pizza and trucks.
“It’s a wonderful event with the police,” Schneider said.
Police mingled with the crowd while detectives Justin Beer and Matthew Poling showed off their cruiser. The centerpiece of the event, it attracted many. Most jumped at the chance to sit in the vehicle.
“Everyone is having a good time,” Beer said. “It seems like it’s been a good opportunity for people to get to know us.”
Poling agreed. He said he enjoys community days the best.
“National Night Out is a great time for the community to bridge the gap with the officers. Talk to us and see us outside of business and get to know us on a personal level.”
Both officers agreed that Bethel Park is an “extremely safe” community.
“We’ve got the best cops around,” Poling said.
Melanie Braden and Craig Thompson concurred.
Braden brought her 2-year-old son, Jack. Despite being saddled with a walking cast because he had broken his leg, Jack wanted to see the fire trucks.
“We come to Miner’s all the time but this was our first Night Out,” said his mom said. “We feel safe living in the community because we have gotten to know some of the police officers. We know they are looking out for our best interest. So I feel safe.”
Thompson attended the community event with his son, Bradley, 2. While admiring the patrol car, Thompson said, “This is a lot of fun for the kids and a great event.
“I like living here. It’s a safe community. The police do a great job,” he added.
Already citizens have marked their calendar for 2023.
“Everybody came out to support the police and the community, which is great,” Crow said. “This is something I would come back to for sure.”
“It’s a good event, especially for the kids,” noted Jennifer Mills. She walked over to the park with her sons, Benjamin and Gavin. “We came last year and will again.
“Bethel Park is a safe community, and they do a good job about teaching safety as well.”