SPRINGFIELD – On Aug 2. the neighborhood of Pine Point will put one in the record books, joining 10 sister city neighborhoods in hosting a National Night Out event.

“This is our first-ever one,” said Hampden County Sheriff’s Department officer Joe DeMars, Pine Point neighborhood watch coordinator. “The Pine Point Improvement League [is] working very, very hard and we are very, very excited. They’ve spoken with many different groups and citizens and so far the feedback has been positive.”

DeMars said the Improvement League has tried for some time to secure a site for their own Night Out, and recently received permission to use the newly renovated Nahorniak Park (formerly Balliet Park) at 111 Seymour Ave.

Pine Point’s National Night Out festivities, which will include safety and health displays and a community picnic, will take place in the park from 6 to 8 p.m.

“It’s going to be a pizza party,” DeMars said, adding that UNO Pizzeria, Napoli Pizza, MJ’s Pizza, Tony’s Pizza and Big Y are all contributing to the meal. He noted that The Caring Health Center, United Health Center and Rite Aide pharmacy will be on site hosting displays, as will the Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. A DJ from Tony Mole Productions will provide entertainment, and there will be both a free blood pressure clinic and raffle. The Pine Point Citizens Council and National Correctional Employees Union are also supporting the event.

DeMars, who has been working in Pine Point for about nine years as the Sheriff Department’s neighborhood liaison, sees this first National Night Out as both a triumph for the Improvement League and a chance to foster old-fashioned community spirit.

“Think about it, 25 years ago every single neighbor knew each other. If something happened three blocks down the street, everybody knew,” DeMars said. “Now everybody’s busy. They go home, close their doors, pull down the shades and don’t come out.”

National Night Out, he continued, is “a great opportunity to thank our neighborhood and to introduce neighbors to the law enforcement community so we can communicate and pass out as much information to the public as possible so they can protect themselves from being victimized.”

He looks at it as an evening when neighbors and law enforcement can “get to know each other.”

Additional Springfield locations hosting National Nights Out

All events take place on Aug. 2.
• Calhoun Park, 5 to 8 p.m., Music food, community fun. Sponsored by Sector A Community Police and Crime Watch.
• Marshall Roy Field, behind Pottenger School, 5:30 to 7 p.m., food, face painting, games, DJ. Sponsored by East Springfield Neighborhood Council.
• Myrtle Street Playground, Indian Orchard, 6 to 9 p.m., DJ, hot dogs, beverages, games, prizes. Sponsored by Indian Orchard Community Police Task Force.
• Concord Heights/Outing Park, 4 to 6 p.m., food, fun and music. Sponsored by First Resources Company.
• Washington/City View, 4 to 6 p.m. Music, food, fun. Sponsored by First Resources Company.
• Mason Square Apartments, 6 to 8 p.m., music, food, fun. Sponsored by First Resources Company.
• Nathan Bill Park, 6 to 8 p.m., band, entertainment, food, face painting, fun. Sponsored by East Forest Park Civic Association.
• Allen Park Apartments, 5 to 9 p.m., bounce house, music, games, and food. Sponsored by Allen Park Apartments.
• Williams School Playground, 5:30 to 8 p.m., peace walk, food, fun, DJ and more. Sponsored by Bay, Old Hill, Upper Hill Neighborhood Council.
• White Street School, 4:30 to 8 p.m., food, fun, friendship. Sponsored by Forest Park C-3.

For more information about these neighborhood National Nights Out, contact Katherine Brown at 787-6359 or your neighborhood Quality of Life officer from the Springfield Police Department.