Stafford PD, First Responders and Target Host a 'Night Out'

Stafford Township residents took part in the National Night Out celebration Tuesday.

The annual event, held in communities nationwide, is designed to allow neighbors to gather, get to know each other and interact with police and other emergency responders in order to foster cooperation and community spirit.

On Tuesday, the event was estimated to culminate with gatherings of more than 37 million neighbors in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, according to Nextdoor, a company that has studied communities nationwide.

The township's celebration was held outside the Target store in the Stafford Park shopping center off Route 72. The township police deparment partnered with the store to organize the evening, which featured displays from law enforcement as well as other local emergency responders.

Cupcakes and K-9s were all part of the festivities held outside the Target on Tuesday night.

Organized by Community Policing Officer Chris Frtiz and Target Team Leader Jordan Ingle the evening’s fun included displays of the township's various emergency vehicles, while Target volunteers grilled and served hotdogs and passed out cupcakes and drinks.

There were also balloons and other items as well as toy badges and firemen’s helmets for the estimated 200 children that showed up through the evening, said Ingle.

But it was Officer Ollie, one of Stafford’s K-9s, who stole the show.

Along with his partner, Officer Chris Smith, Ollie went after a “bad guy” played by Senior Patrolman Dan Smaritano. When Smith released Ollie he dashed across the parking lot and grabbed the protective arm guard Samaritano was wearing and ripped it off.

As Ollie triumphantly trotted away with his trophy the crowd applauded and the team rewarded them with an encore.