Northern Schuylkill communities come together for National Night Out

By Kaylee Lindenmuth

Three northern Schuylkill communities held events for National Night Out on Tuesday, and organizers of each shared the same sentiment: bring the communities together, and bridge the gap between first responders and the public.

According to the website for National Night Out, www.natw.org, “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.”

“National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances,” the site continued.

Shenandoah and Frackville held their inaugural events Tuesday evening, while Mahanoy City continued their annual event. Ashland will hold theirs on Friday, August 10.

Shenandoah

Shenandoah’s event was held along the unit block of East Washington Street, in the lot behind the new headquarters of Shenandoah Community Ambulance, from 6:00pm until 8:30pm.

“I think the main event is to get the community together, and to get them resources and make them understand what’s actually here within our community, along with meeting all the emergency responders,” said organizer Kelly Examitas. “Especially with the kids, if we ever have to respond to something, they can at least put names and faces together and know who’s okay.”

All five Shenandoah fire companies displayed their apparatus, as well along with the William Penn and Shenandoah Heights fire companies, Shenandoah Community Ambulance, Shenandoah Police, West Mahanoy Township Police, and the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office.

Apparatus lined the unit block of East Washington Street, which was closed to traffic, while informational stands were set up in the ambulance association’s rear lot. Organizations with stands included Diakon, Primary Health, the Schuylkill County 911 Center, Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, among others.

Hot dogs, pierogies, refreshments, and ice cream were all donated to the event and served free of charge.

​Inside the ambulance bays, “Hands Only” CPR was demonstrated, and COGI, Inc. set up a mock bedroom to show different potential warning signs in a teen’s bedroom, according to Examitas.

​A bike rodeo was also held at the event.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth / Sentinel Photos

Frackville

Frackville’s event began an hour earlier than Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, starting at 5pm on the grounds of the Frackville Elks Lodge.

“It’s our first National Night Out event that we’re hosting,” said Frackville Police Chief Rick Bell. “We’re just going to try and build on it every year, just trying to build a stronger community. Most of our officers are here to meet with the kids, and have the kids understand that we’re friends, and we’re not the ‘mean guys’ and that we’re approachable and that kind of stuff.”

“We’re trying to show everybody that we are here for the community, and we want to make it a fun event, and have people be able to approach us and trust us and we can make it a safer community,” Bell added.

The event began just after a severe-warned thunderstorm rolled through northern Schuylkill, with blue skies greeting the events early stages.

A bounce house was set up,  refreshments were served at no cost, a a and a face painting booth was set up as well.

North Schuylkill School District had an informational stand, while the borough of Frackville displayed their public works vehicles.

Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency provided tours of their mobile command center, while giving out bags and coloring books to children at their informational stand.

Frackville’s Goodwill Fire Company displayed their ladder truck, and Frackville Ambulance displayed a vehicle as well.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Mike O’Pake was also on hand for the event.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to get out, meet their police officers, for police officers to meet the people of the community as well, so it’s a great opportunity for that in a nice, relaxed setting, where someone’s not going to be meeting a police officer under stressful circumstances,” said O’Pake. “So, you come, walk around, meet some people, have something to eat, have something to drink — it’s a really great opportunity, and I think it’s great that these small communities are doing that.”

“These small communities, they need to stick together,” added O’Pake.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth / Sentinel Photos

Mahanoy City

Mahanoy City’s event moved from the Teen Canteen on Centre Street to borough hall on Pine Street, with refreshments served inside and apparatus displays outside, as Pine Street was closed to traffic.

“National Night Out is to get the community familiar with the police and the fire department,” said borough council member Pat Mullins. “I think, especially the children, need to be familiar with the police department, and the fire department, so they’re not afraid of them.”

Fire apparatus and equipment from all of Mahanoy City’s fire companies lined Pine Street, including West End’s boat and trailer for their dive team.

Inside borough hall, refreshments were served at no cost, and Mahanoy City Police had fingerprinting for children set up. Children could also receive fire helmets and other items inside.

Schuylkill Women in Crisis also had information available, as did the borough.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth / Sentinel Photos

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