After a rain reschedule earlier in August, the Town of Newburgh came out to celebrate National Night Out on Wednesday, August 28 at Cronomer Hill Park. Townspeople, town officers and community partners enjoyed a night together of fun and partnership.

The National Night Out event has regularly been held at Chadwick Lake Park but due to on-going construction, the celebration was moved to a different venue. The on-going construction is for the highly anticipated recreation center at the park which is set to open in September 2025.

National Night Out is an annual celebration for communities to spend time interacting with the men and women who wear the police uniform each day. The event helps create and foster relationships with the police and public they serve. National Night Out events are mostly held annually in August across the country by various police departments.

Starting off the evening, Newburgh families made their way to Cronomer Hill Park where music could be heard playing and the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air. Town of Newburgh Police Department members could be seen either helping serve food, directing attendants to the park, patrolling the park grounds or just interacting with their neighbors, shaking hands and enjoying conversations.

“It’s a great, great, great function we have every year. It was delayed, of course, but now we’re here and good turnout, and it’s just good community service with the police getting out there showing their support to the community and the community showing support to the police,” said Councilman Paul Ruggiero.

Councilman Ruggiero along with Councilman Anthony LoBiondo, Councilman Scott Manley, Town Clerk Lisa Ayers, Orange County Legislator Leigh Benton and Senator Rob Rolison were several elected officials who joined in the celebration of National Night Out.

“It’s great to be out here with all the people from The Town of Newburgh and surrounding area that decided to come spend an evening with us and really blessed to have the community partners here participating as well. I can’t say enough about the participation,” said Town of Newburgh Police Office Adam Geyer. “Shout out to them because a night like this doesn’t happen without them.”

Families were able to stop by several of the law enforcement tables and see several pieces of gear and equipment used in the field while others had back to school supplies and community resources. A baseball field had families engaged with officers and residents competing against each other. A K-9 demonstration later in the evening attracted a large crowd to see the skills being shown off by the officers and their companions. The event overall drew hundreds of people during the course of the evening who were seen smiling and enjoying their time with one another.