Events brings together residents, first responders
BUTLER TWP — Firetrucks and police cars were all over Bocce and Vista drives on Tuesday evening. Despite the heavy presence of men and women in uniform, the first responders were not in the neighborhood on an emergency call.
They were there on a different mission — to talk with local residents.
“It’s a good event to get out and meet the people in the township,” said John Hays, township police chief. “It puts a face to the people, especially (the residents) seeing us.”
The township hosted its annual National Night Out, as part of a nationwide event that promotes community building between local first responders and residents. Participants were able to meet their local police, fireman and township commissioners as well as see inside emergency response vehicles and learn about emergency services.
State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, was in attendance, talking to residents and answering questions.
“This event brings the community together,” Mustello said. “They get to meet their elected officials, their firemen, police officers, all the first responders in Butler Township. I think it’s a great opportunity for everybody involved.”
Residents Connie Klugh, Vicki Wagner and Brenda Albert took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the officers who patrol their neighborhood.
“We walk late at night,” Albert said. “Sometimes they’re patrolling, so we wanted them to know who we were.”
Linda and Ron Eddinger moved to the neighborhood last year and used the event as an impromptu meet-and-greet.
“We’ve only been here a year,” Ron said. “We really haven’t met many of our neighbors, and so tonight we thought we could do that.”
And while the adults were chatting, the children were able to explore the inner workings of police and fire vehicles. Volunteer firefighter Steph Morris-Steele was busy showing off the inside of one of the township’s firetrucks.
Morris-Steele said she spent about half of her time showing residents how the equipment worked and the other half being thanked for her service.
“We’ve had many people come over and thank us,” Morris-Steele said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing that they are appreciative of the work we do.”
Lt. Matthew Pearson, of the Butler Township Police Department, said he was impressed with this year’s turnout.
“We’ve been doing this for nine years, and this is one of the bigger turnouts we’ve had,” Pearson said. “ We’ve had nothing but a great reception.”
And while the event looked more like a block party than a meet-and-greet, it still is important for the community to build rapport with their first responders and representatives.
“You have to build those relationships,” Pearson said.
