With more than a decade of experience under their belts, organizers of Bridgeport’s National Night Out are confident the event is serving its purpose of building good relationships between residents and city law enforcers. Each year, the celebration – which features free food and drinks, giveaways, entertainment and swimming – seems to draw more and more people.

 

The 12th annual National Night Out will be held 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Bridgeport City Pool and Benedum Civic Center grounds. As always, members of Bridgeport Police, Fire and Emergency Services will be on hand to meet and greet the public and display various equipment – such as the fire department’s new ladder truck – and demonstrations, including one by the city’s K9 unit.

 

Various city businesses, civic clubs and volunteer organizations will be on hand, offering free hot-dogs, pizza, ice cream and other summertime treats, as well as face painting and games. Bridgeport Pool will be open with free admission and while enjoying the water with friends and family, attendees will be treated to entertainment by a live band. 

 

All entry into National Night Out will be through the gate of Bridgeport Pool. Each attendee will receive a ticket to be entered into a number of prize drawings. They will have the chance to win big box items like TVs, video game systems, bicycles and several other prizes. Sponsoring and hosting the event are Bridgeport Police, Fire and Emergency Services, as well as the City of Bridgeport.

 

Annually, a couple thousand individuals attend Bridgeport’s National Night Out, always successful because of the many people, groups and businesses who pull together to make it a top-notch event, said Randy Hartley, assistant police chief or Bridgeport.

 

“Various city departments, including parks and recreation, go out of their way to help pull this all off,” he said.