AMESBURY – The Amesbury Police Department is preparing for the annual National Night Out on Aug. 5 with food, music and more in store for attendees.
Ron Guilmette, Amesbury Police officer and Amesbury National Night Out Organizer said between 500-1,000 people are expected at the popular event which has spanned nearly three decades.
The event will run from 5-8 p.m. at Heritage Park and is part of an annual nationwide community policing campaign that promotes positive interactions between police and locals.
Guilmette said the laid-back nature of the event also allows officers to interact with locals in a unique way.
“It is fun work. It’s nice not to be going on calls and meeting people sometimes on their worst days. Not today, it’s just we’re all just hanging around, talking, enjoying the music, enjoying the fun, enjoying what Amesbury has to offer. So, it’s a pretty cool little community,” he said.
Alongside the police department, National Night Out will feature a number of local businesses including Sweet Cheeks, Monstah Dogs and more.
“We invite anybody who we’ve worked with in the past, or plan on working with in the future just to come out and people set up a table,” he said.
Charles LaBella, owner of Monstah Dogs said he has participated in the event for multiple years and appreciates its purpose.
“I think it’s a very important event, and it brings out people to give a lot of information about safety and other issues that can happen when things don’t go right,” he said.
The event will also feature a car show, something Guilmette said attracts residents of all ages.
“It’s really fun, like anywhere from ages three, probably three to 80. It brings everybody in town,” he said.
Guilmette said when planning the event, organizers try to plan activities that appeal to people of all different demographics.
“We just try to make it a fun event for everybody where we can, all of us celebrate together,” he said.
As he looks towards the future, Guilmette said he hopes the event will continue to gain popularity, but joked about space constraints.
“Hopefully we can continue to grow it. Hopefully we don’t grow out of our space, because I don’t know where else we’d go,” he said.
Now, with the day fast approaching, Guilmette said he encourages National Night Out regulars and newcomers alike to join in the festivities.
“Come celebrate with us and get to know some of your local police officers, and create new partnerships and celebrate old ones,” he said.