Jul 27, 2015 2 min read

McDonald police want to get to know the communities they serve even better and hope residents also want to meet the officers patrolling their neighborhoods, so the department is throwing a get-together next week as part of National Night Out.

National Night Out, administered across the United States by the National Association of Town Watch, was started in 1984 as a crime-prevention program designed to build a partnership between police and the community.

“We got some pamphlets last year from the association, but it was too short of a notice to try anything,” said borough police Officer Michael Dhanse, who is coordinating the effort. “This is our first year trying it. We want to bring the community together and meet the police officers.”

While some communities might organize block parties, McDonald police are hosting the event from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 at Heritage Park off West Lincoln Avenue behind McDonald Plaza. The night will be capped off with a fireworks display, an unplanned bonus that became possible when the display during McSummerfest was canceled due to inclement weather.

“We tried to do something different that involves the whole family,” Dhanse said. “We will have vendors, a petting zoo and will be giving out hot dogs.”

Other emergency providers also will be on hand, including the fire department, ambulance service, Allegheny County bomb squad and perhaps the Washington Regional SWAT team.

Dhanse said there also will be a variety of giveaways.

Dhanse suggests families bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on while watching the fireworks display since there is no seating at the park. The fireworks are expected to start just after 9 p.m.

“We had planned something smaller at our station, but when the fireworks were canceled, it became a great addition to what we had planned,” the officer added.

The department patrols six municipalities in the northwestern part of the county including McDonald, Burgettstown, Midway and West Middletown boroughs and Independence and Robinson townships. Dhanse said members of these communities, in particular, are invited to the event.

For more information, check the department’s Facebook page.