In the parking lot behind the courthouse on Tuesday there were games and food and even pony rides for people of all ages to enjoy.
Freehold Borough was one of many communities taking part in National Night Out and Councilman George Schnurr said it was great to see the residents come out for a fun event on a beautiful summer night. "This is an event that brings the police department and the community together so the community sees the police department in another light."
Schnurr said normally the only time residents see their local first responders is during an emergency situation. On Tuesday they had the chance to not only see the equipment used in emergencies but also meet the people who operate them on a daily basis.
Det. John Reiff of the Freehold Borough Police Department agreed, saying that while the night was started to promote crime prevention it has become much more than that. Since the borough started doing the event, he said it had given not only his department but also the fire department and first aid squad a chance to be out in the community even more.
Reiff said with many of the officers in attendance coming in on their own time it had become an event that they look forward to taking part in on an annual basis.
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