More than 2,500 residents come together to promote unity between law enforcement and community
Ridge, N.Y. (Aug.1, 2023) – In efforts to promote unity between law enforcement and the community, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and the Town of Brookhaven held the area’s largest east end National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Fireman’s Memorial Park in Ridge, N.Y. The free event, which was sponsored by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation, drew a crowd of more than 2,500 residents.
During the event, families and residents participated in softball games between the Suffolk County Corrections officers, Suffolk County Deputies, the Association of Municipal Employees (AME) and the Town of Brookhaven. The National Night Out event also included a DJ, dozens of nonprofit and government partner giveaways, bingo games with prizes, a free ice cream truck, BBQ, face painting, tug of war, a water balloon toss, a dunk tank, fire department demonstrations and Suffolk Sheriff vehicles on display.
National Night Out, typically held on the first Tuesday of August, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
With more than three centuries of continuous service, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is the oldest law enforcement in Suffolk County, N.Y., and has become known as one of the most innovative law enforcement agencies and correctional systems in the country.
This philosophy and approach of Toulon was the impetus for the birth of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation in 2020. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office combined its work with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation in order to build a stronger community.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation’s mission is to support community-based programming to reduce incidents of crime and recidivism, improve outcomes for at-risk individuals, and build positive relationships with members of law enforcement.
Toulon notes that the greatest opportunity for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation is to have a positive impact on the community — especially its youth.
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