Impending severe weather from Tropical Storm Debby has already affected several North Jersey municipalities that were planning to host National Night Out events on Tuesday.
City officials began posting updates on social media about their respective festivities after the forecast called for heavy rain and possible flooding in the region from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Some have postponed National Night Out or to a later date, while others have canceled the event.
Morris Township is among the cities that have canceled their National Night Out for 2024 with no make-up date.
“We share your disappointment as we were looking forward to a beautiful evening of fun and community,” the municipality said. posted on Facebook Tuesday morning. “We hope to see you next year for an even better National Night Out.”
Other areas in the region have announced that their events have been “postponed”, although not all have announced a new date or even whether there will be one. police departments in Denville It is Hopatcong posted that there is no set date for rain at this time, with Hopatcong adding, “we will keep you posted if and when that changes.”
Florham Park, Hawthorne It is Newton are among the municipalities that plan to reschedule their events. However, no makeup date had been announced as of early Tuesday afternoon.
New Milford has postponed its National Night Out until August 20thwhile West Milford’s was moved to October 1st.
Boonton will still hold its event on Tuesday, but has moved it an hour earlier to 4 p.m. The festivities will take place, rain or shine, at the RVA Johanson Memorial Fields on Powerville Road, the town’s police department. said on Facebook.
Teaneck is also holding its National Night Out, rain or shine, from 5pm to 8pm Tuesday at Votee Park, the municipality announced. If there is inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Rodda Center adjacent to the park.
What is National Night?
National Night Out is a community policing event celebrated annually on the first Tuesday in August. Neighborhoods host parties, festivals, parades, and other events in partnership with law enforcement to raise awareness about various police programs and anti-crime efforts.
“National Night Out improves relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” reads an online statement from the National Urban Watch Association, which established the inaugural event in 1984. “Additionally, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
Today, 38 million residents in 17,000 communities celebrate National Night across the country, according to the organization’s website. More than 200 New Jersey towns participate each year.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Severe weather forecast cancels NJ National Night Out events