Hundreds attend ‘National Night Out’

(8/10) Hundreds of individuals from Carroll Valley Borough and the surrounding areas converged on Carroll Valley Commons Park August 7 for the borough’s 7th Annual National Night Out.

Carroll Valley Borough Police Chief Richard L. Hileman, II noted, "This is a time set aside throughout the United States for communities to get together and meet their local policemen, firefighters, social service agencies and emergency responders."

The purpose of National Night Out, Hileman said, "is to strengthen the relationship between the citizens and those who have taken an oath to protect them."

Jo Ann Myers, Carroll Valley Borough police administrative assistant and event coordinator, said "at least 458 people walked around the clicker (used to count attendance)," which did not include numerous attendees who did not pass the counter.

"Each year," she said, "there is a little more attendance. Each year we try to add a couple of new things."

New attractions this year included the Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Spay and Neuter 4-Life Mobile Hospital, a barrel train ride from Thurmont Heritage Days, and a Strawberry Hills Nature Center display.

Numerous emergency responders and public service entities were represented at this year’s event.

Fairfield Fire & EMS and Fountaindale fire departments displayed some of their fire and emergency apparatus with Fountaindale providing free fire truck rides.

Also participating were the Fairfield Regional Emergency Management Agency (FREMA), STAT MedEvac helicopter, Carroll Valley Borough, Hamiltonban and Liberty Township police, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, state constables, Mid-Atlantic Dogs rescue service, Thurmont K9 Search, Ski Librty Ski Patrol, Keeney Fire Service, Safe Kids Adams County, Cub Scout Pack #76, who held a "bike rodeo," childrens games hosted by the Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, and a motorcycle safety presented by the Harley Owners Group.

Samaritan Lodge #336, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania of Gettysburg provided parents with child identification kits through the organization’s Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP) Program.

"This is probably the best event we’ve had so far," Myers stated. "The weather was wonderful. I’m already working on next year’s National Night Out."