National Night Out – a moment when communities across the nation and the law enforcement officers who keep them safe join together – is commemorated each summer with passion and pride in Belleville.

The township’s annual free National Night Out celebration will be held Aug. 5, 6-9 p.m., at Belleville High School’s Municipal Stadium.

The Belleville Police Department, Mayor Michael Melham and the Township Council invite residents to come out for a night full of music, games, food trucks and more than 30 vendors.

For kids, there will be bouncy rides, train rides and a touch-a-truck area. Other games, for kids of all ages include kickball games and a tug of war.
Belleville’s own DJ Ralph Tunis will keep the party going.

National Night Out has been seen as a way to foster connections between police and the public since the first one was observed in 1984.

Melham said its feels like National Night Out every day in Belleville, where police help walk school children to school, host informal get-togethers with officers over pizza, visit with seniors and truly embrace their responsibilities as public servants.

“The police department is front and center in our community every day of the year,” Melham said “To me, National Night Out gives us all a chance to recognize the efforts of our police officers – the men and women whose mission is to keep us safe and sound.”

“Fostering ties with the community, on an ongoing basis, helps us do our job better,” said Chief Mark Minichini. “And that job is to proudly protect and serve the people of this community.”