Communities plan ‘National Night Out’ events throughout Lycoming County

Neighborhoods in the city, boroughs, townships, and villages become stronger when they know and support one another.

That is the premise behind the annual National Night Out, which takes place in communities across Lycoming County on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

National Night Out is a nationwide initiative organized by the National Association of Town Watch designed to strengthen police-community relationships and to educate the public on home and public safety initiatives.

The events feature city and local police departments, fire departments and companies, emergency medical technician personnel and other associated individuals involved in protecting and serving, keeping the peace, and ensuring public safety and neighborhood connectivity.

In the City of Williamsport, the Bureau of Police invite the public to meet the officers in the community, enjoying an evening of building trust, friendships, and a safer future for everyone. The city National Night Out is a free community cookout from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brandon Park. There, visitors will get to have food and refreshments, visit local resource vendors, see the police K-9, meet and greet officers, get vehicle tours and games for children will be provided. Penn College Police has once again been invited to participate in this annual event along with the Williamsport Bureau of Police.

In South Williamsport, National Night Out is from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Borough Community Center, 545 E. Central Ave. Visitors can check out police vehicles and equipment, meet the South Williamsport Police officers and the Lycoming County District Attorney's Office, and enjoy games, activities, food and refreshments.

The Lycoming Regional Police Department will host two separate National Night Out events from 6 to 8 p.m., to cater to its large coverage area. One will be at Fairlawn Community Church, 353 Pleasant Hill Road, Cogan Station, while the other takes place at the Jersey Shore Community Pool, 410 Thompson St., Jersey Shore.

At both locations, visitors will have the opportunity to meet and greet with local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services providers, learn about the valuable resources and services provided by community-based organizations, and explore the latest equipment and vehicles used by the departments' first responders. Free food and drinks will be available, courtesy of event sponsors.

The Trout Run Volunteer Fire Co. (Station 16) invites guests to the National Night Out on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Trout Run Park, 10294 Lycoming Creek Road. Joining Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company will be Woodward Township (Station 2) and Ralston Volunteer Fire companies (Station 17), which will bring a couple of their trucks.

In addition to representatives from each fire company, there will be representatives from the Lycoming County Sheriff's Office, state Department of Transportation (PennDOT), state Game Commission, Lewis Township, Camp Susque, the Department of Public Safety, state Department of Health and state Emergency Management Agency.

In Muncy Borough, Muncy National Night Out is held by the Muncy Borough Police Department and Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Co. The activities will be at the fire company headquarters at 932 E. Penn St. starting at 6 p.m.

In Montoursville, Montoursville Borough Police, Willing Hand Hose Co. and Montoursville Volunteer Fire Co. are holding National Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the fire headquarters, 821 Broad St.