by Alex Lloyd Gross
August 1, 2023
This is the 40th anniversary of National Night Out. It started as a way to get people in communities to interact with each other. Some communities did marches , others had cookouts. Now, local police departments are holding events. Some are at the police station, others are in a community park. It is always held on the first Tuesday of August.
Philadelphia held multiple events in different districts. Community members came together to meet officers. Some police districts held two events, like the 15th District. One was in a shopping center in Tacony and the other was at Russo Park. That one featured vendors that were selling things like water ice, or other food. Many vendors were selling home made crafts. Mayoral candidate David Oh spoke for a few minutes telling people not to stay home on election day and to vote for who would make them feel safer.
Just up the road at the 8th Police District, the parking lot was empty of cars so tables and displays could be set up for people to get information. The FBI had a table where they were explaining to people how scams work and passing out information on how not to fall victim to people trying to scam you Local elected officials had tables set up to pass out literature on government services and crime prevention.
Just north, in Bensalem, police took over their park behind the police station with K-9 demonstrations, the crime scene truck and other specialty units. There was a buzz in the air about a special guest who would show up. About 7:35 PM Attorney General Merrick Garland emerged from the township building, where he was guided by Bill McVey, Director Of Public Safety. He was also with US Attorney Jacqueline Romero .
Garland also toured a National Night Out event in North Philadelphia. There he interacted with people. Not so much in Bensalem. His security escort ushered him around to different booths, where he spoke with the representatives of those that were exhibiting, be they community groups, or local elected officials. He did shake a few hands but many of those in attendance in Bensalem had no idea of who he was, or they did not care.
He took no questions. He was there just hours after it was announced that Donald Trump would be indicted for his alleged role in election fraud. Garland was nominated for the United State Supreme Court by President Barrack Obama. His nomination went nowhere as then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold any hearings on his nomination for almost a year. When Donald Trump became president, McConnell rushed Neil Gorsuch’s nomination right through the Senate . When Joe Biden became president, he appointed Garland to be Attorney General. The Democratic Senate confirmed him 70-30.
Garland was in Bensalem for less than 20 minutes.
In Bristol Township, fire trucks were on display with police cars and officers who met with members of the community.