Despite the rain, the National Night Out activities went on as scheduled Tuesday evening, according to the Fredonia and Dunkirk police chiefs.

In the city, a mayoral proclamation was issued for Arlene Langendorfer, who has assisted with the event for 31 years. “Arlene was a founding member and has been a driving force behind our Night Out Program for the entire 31 years,” Dunkirk Chief David Ortolano said. “Thirty-one years ago she started this program with me in the hope and dream of bringing our Community together to work with the Police Department on Crime Prevention, Neighborhood Watch and creating a positive relationship between the Police Department and the Community. Thirty-one years later our Night Out program and our positive relationship with the Community we serve is second to none and growing stronger every day. Due to her not feeling well Arlene was unable to attend. The presentation of her proclamation was live streamed as she watched with her son Mark and daughter Stacey from her daughters home in Pennsylvania. Thank you Arlene for all you have done for our Community and for me personally, your dream will continue to grow because of what you have taught all of us!”

Ortolano said the weather was not very cooperative as our celebration began but “amazingly we had a crowd of citizens coming throughout the evening and as the band played and the bounce houses were full everyone interacted with our police officers, firefighters and face painters. They all enjoyed a fun time.”

National Night Out is one of the programs that gives officers the opportunity to have positive interaction with citizens, families and especially children and build a relationship that teaches the value of trusting in the Police Department.

In Fredonia, Chief David Price noted several families accompanied by their young children braved the weather and joined the Fredonia Police Department under the pavilion of Russell Joy Park.

“Our efforts were made possible with the support of our sponsors,” Price said. “The Fredonia Police Department would like to thank the Fredonia Beaver Club, Fredonia Heating and Plumbing, Steve St.George Enterprises, DFT Communications, Kravitz Tree Service, Awesome Bouncers, Tim Hortons of Fredonia, Wells Food Corporation, the Forestville Face Painting Girls and Blasdell Pizza for their generous support. Members of the Fredonia Police Department would like to salute and thank all of our community members and sponsors for their continued support and generosity.”

Ortolano had a thank-you list as well.

“I want to also thank our Night Out Coordinators Lorie Mets, Ruby Green, Martha DeJesus and Police Department Community Programs Officer Amy Noble for their many years of commitment to Night Out and Public Safety in our community. You all are the best! A special thanks to Mayor Kate Wdowiasz for her Proclamation, Gary Sedylmayer for his help with set-up and monitoring activities, City Events Coordinator Scott Mekus for all his help during the night, Cattoos who did face painting for several hours, Josh LaTona who donated the Screen for the Movie and Nancy Nichols who donated the movie snacks.

I want to commend and thank all of our Police Officers who have given their time to this program every year for the last 31 years. This is their night to have positive interaction and show the fun human side of who we are as well. My Thanks and respect to Fire Chief Mike Edwards and the Dunkirk Fire Department for their many years of participation, we have an outstanding relationship with our Fire Department and they have been a very welcomed addition to our Night Out activities.

“The Dunkirk Police Department and Night Out Committee would like to thank all of our business sponsors for their support and dedication over the years, without them we would not enjoy the success we have. Our many thanks to Blasdell Pizza – Mark Dulak, Tops Markets – Scott Obert, WalMart, Southpaw Signs – Cody Britton, McDonalds Restaurant, G&E Tents – Justin Cleary, Awesome Bouncers – Jason Jr. Jason Sr. & Sherry Genovese, Save a Lot – Kevin Connelly & James Bartlett, Atlas Comfort CabinsRoger Gloss, Furious Georger Band, Tim Hortons – Dave & Gina Kron, Robo Mart, Dunkirk Police Benevolent Association and Millers Apparel – Shirlene & Jim Miller, we would also like to thank WDOE/KIX FM – Greg Larson, The Observer, Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, Common Council Members, our Recreation Department, DPW and our Parks Department who had the Park in excellent shape for us.

“With everyone working together we will continue to make a difference in making our Community a safer place to live, visit and work in. My personal Thank You to everyone who attended Night Out and to our entire Community in keeping this program alive and so very successful for 31 years.”