Visitors to National Night Out in Hellertown’s Dimmick Park Tuesday night enjoyed a family-friendly event hosted by the borough and Lower Saucon Township police departments.
National Night Out is an annual community outreach event hosted by local police departments across the country which brings residents together with officers in a setting that is conducive to education, awareness and fun.
In Hellertown, the volunteer fire departments that serve the Saucon Valley also participate in it, hosting demonstrations and activities for families.
Highlights of Tuesday’s free event in the park included a friendly tug-of-war between the two departments, which the Hellertown police won for a second year in a row; a demonstration by Bethlehem Police Department’s Arson K-9 Silver and her handler, Dep. Fire Marshal and city detective Doug Nothstein; a rock-climbing wall, a bounce house, face-painting and other activities; bicycle safety checks; local vendors; food and ice cream; and a drenching (but refreshing) water balloon fight between kids and cops.
Kids also received free plastic firefighter helmets and police badges.
The entire event was free for the community thanks to the efforts of the police and fire departments as well as donations from local businesses.
Photos by Chris Christian
Hellertown Police Sgt. Jeff Johnston
Saucon Valley residents and friends Bettina Mahaffey, left, and Lisa DiRusso
Hellertown zoning and codes enforcement officer Kris Russo
Bethlehem Police Department K-9 arson dog Silver and her handler, Bethlehem Police Detective and Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Nothstein
“Can I have a treat now, Mom?”
Joey DiRusso
Lower Saucon Township Police Ofc. James Connell and Hellertown resident Dave Schweisgut
Hellertown Borough Council members, from left, Mike McKenna, Andrew Hughes and Earl Hill.
Getting to sit in a real police car is always a treat for little ones.
Face-painting was a big draw for the 10 and under crowd.
The men of the Hellertown Police Department, after their hard-fought victory over Lower Saucon Township Police Department in the annual tug-of-war.
Silver, Bethlehem Police Departments Arson K-9, enjoys being petted by a young friend as her handler, Bethlehem Police Detective and Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Nothstein, looks on.
Preparing to do battle in front of a large crowd of onlookers are members of the Lower Saucon Township Police Department and their opponents from neighboring municipality, Hellertown borough.
After the police departments’ tug-of-war it was a time for smiles and handshakes all around. Pictured from left are Ofc. Charles Werkheiser Jr. of the Lower Saucon Township Police Department, Ofc. Tom Louder of the LSTPD, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp III, Ofc. James Connell of the LSTPD, Ofc. Carl Fischer of the Hellertown Police Department and Ofc. Andrew Konig of the HPD.
Hellertown police officers Carl Fischer and Andrew Konig following the tug-of-war.
“Pulllll harder!”
Women, too, competed in the tug-of-war.
There was a line of high-fives after the police vs. kids water balloon fight.
On a hot evening in the park, getting soaked in a water balloon fight felt pretty good. Pictured at center are Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp III and Lower Saucon Township Police Chief Tom Barndt.
