MONROE, CT — Wolfe Park’s regular and overflow parking lots were full and many families parked vehicles on side streets and walked up Cutlers Farm Road to attend the Monroe Police Department’s annual Monroe Night Out Tuesday.
Attendees mingled with town police officers, firefighters, Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service members and town officials, and learned about several community nonprofits, while eating free slices of pizza and hot dogs as children enjoyed inflatable slides, a foam machine and laser tag — all compliments of town businesses.
Among the highlights, a helicopter soared over the crowd.
“The first year, we were lucky if we had 400 people,” Police Chief Keith White said. “This year we estimate about 3,000 people were here throughout the night. It’s become an event people ask about all year long.”
Monroe Police Sgt. Helio Ramalhete, who organized the Monroe Night Out, said the event was made possible through the generosity of local businesses.
“It’s a great turnout, bigger than last year,” he said. “We want the community to understand this event is a free event and the police budget wasn’t used for it. The real reason for this event is to provide a neutral place where we can meet with the community. None of this could be done without the support of our first selectman.”
Uniformed officers were seen throughout the event, serving people food and greeting families.
Ramalhete gave a shout-out to Jennie’s Pizzeria and Testo’s Restaurant for providing pizzas, Mr. Mac’s Canteen and Lake Zoar Drive-In for grilling hot dogs, and JMG Music and Entertainment for the foam machine and laser tag.
The helicopter fly over came compliments of Flexjet of Stratford, whose owner lives in Monroe and supports the police department.
Ramalhete expressed his hope that residents will patronize the local businesses who contributed to the community event.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the Monroe Night Out next summer should email the Monroe Police Department at CRO@monroectpolice.gov.
Police vehicles and apparatus from the Monroe, Stepney and Stevenson fire departments were on display in the Wolfe Park parking lot and children also got to tour Monroe EMS ambulances.
An EMS table had dummies for hands-only CPR training and a prop for people to practice stopping a bleed using a tourniquet. Volunteers gave out educational coloring and activity books with crayons, as well as pamphlets advertising the next emergency medical technician (EMT) class scheduled for this September.
“It’s going to be a hybrid class,” Monroe EMS Chief Craig Rosenberg said. “Two night classes a week will be held live online with in-person classes on five Saturdays. We want to make it easier for people to make the time.”
Rosenberg said EMS’s call volume has been on the rise with over 1,800 calls a year. Monroe has 30 EMS members and Rosenberg said, ideally, he would like to have five to 10 more members.
“We’re definitely looking for more neighbors to join us and it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “We can definitely use the help.”
For information on the EMT class, click here.
Among just a few of the tables for nonprofit organizations were The Center for Family Justice, CTFosters and Alcohol and Drug Awareness of Monroe (ADAM). ADAM’s table had bags with locks for adults to keep drugs, while making it inaccessible to their children.
Tammy Julian, of ADAM, said the organization is planning its annual Forum on Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse for ninth graders and their guardians at Masuk High School on Oct. 23 and Screenagers – Under the Influence for the entire high school on Nov. 13.
Children painted two rocks at the Rotary Club of Monroe’s table, one to take home and the other to contribute to the Rock Garden at Wolfe Park.
First Selectman Terry Rooney attended Tuesday’s event with his wife, Nadine.
“Years ago, I was hired on a federal grant to do community policing on the Bridgeport police force and this event tonight is the finest example of community policing,” Rooney said. “Thank you to the Monroe PD for doing this for the town and all the vendors and people who contributed. This is what Monroe is all about.”
Two photo galleries capture moments from Tuesday night:
Gallery 2
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