The Lawrence Township Police Department’s annual National Night Out turned into National Night In.
The Aug. 6 event was canceled because of impending hazardous weather, according to a post on the Lawrence Township Police Department’s Facebook page.
Instead, the police department plans to invite attendees and vendors to gather Sept. 10 to celebrate its 100th anniversary at a special “super” open house.
“We apologize (for canceling the Aug. 6 event), but because our relationship with our community is so important to us, we have found a way to have another special event,” the Facebook post said.
The super open house will combine the Lawrence Township Police Department’s 100th anniversary celebration and National Night Out activities. The plan is to have some of the same vendors, guests, activities and displays involved at National Night Out at the open house event.
“Stay tuned. More to follow,” the Facebook post said.
National Night Out is intended to forge a bond between local police and the residents they serve, according to the National Association of Town Watch. It has been held on the first Tuesday in August since 1984.
Lawrence Township has held National Night Out for many years. The first few ventures were small scale affairs, held in different neighborhoods across the township so residents could meet the police officers on a one-to-one basis.
Later, it was held at the Eggerts Crossing Village development off Johnson Avenue. Township officials decided to move it to the front lawn of the municipal complex a few years ago where they could spread out the celebration.
