The bounce houses just feet away from him were full. Cars lined the curb around the park. There was even a line of people waiting to grab a slice of pizza before the event even officially kicked off.

“This is great. This is what it’s all about,” Witkowski said. “Interacting with the community is the way we determine if we’re doing a good job or not. Everybody seems to be having a good time, and we love interacting with the public.”

Tuesday night was Dunkirk’s 32nd annual National Night Out event. The tradition gives police officers and firefighters a chance to show up for their community in a much more comforting way than they usually do, in times of crisis. Dunkirk police officers and firefighters filled Washington Park with a crowd of happy families enjoying the bright, sunny evening at the event designed to bring everyone together.

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said Tuesday’s event had “an amazing turnout”. She credited the community for how involved it is in supporting the first responders and the police department, with what she called “a deep respect from both sides” of the relationship.

Dunkirk Police Chief Chris Witkowski presents former Chief David Ortolano with a plaque honoring more than three decades of tradition behind Dunkirk’s National Night Out event Ortolano founded.

“We’re fostering a relationship with the community and our first responders. We don’t want to stigmatize our police officers or our firefighters because usually when you run into them, you’re not in the best situation,” Wdowiasz said. “We don’t want to just see you at your worst. We want everyone to see them at their best.”

More than three decades ago, David Ortolano founded Dunkirk’s Night Out, modeled after the National Night Out campaign in communities across the United States. He later became Dunkirk’s Police Chief in 2005.

National Night Out is designed to strengthen neighborhoods in their fight against crime and drugs. The event not only shows the presence of local law enforcement and first responders, but it also strengthens the bonds that many in the community form with police officers and firefighters.

“This is what police-community relationships are all about. It’s absolutely amazing. I’m very happy,” Ortolano said Tuesday night. “The success we have in this community … is because of what you see here tonight.”

Dunkirk police officers and firefighters were present throughout the park on Tuesday, in addition to McGruff the Crime Dog. Car seat installations were offered with the assistance of the New York State Police.

Members of the Dunkirk Fire Department brought a fire hose for children to use to play in the water at Washington Park on Tuesday evening.

In addition to the presence of police officers, firefighters, and fire trucks, there were bounce houses available for children. Live music was provided by Two Towns in the gazebo. Pizza and refreshments were also available to all.

Roughly 45 minutes into the festivities, Witkowski and Wdowiasz addressed the crowd. Then, Frank Puglisi read an official proclamation from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office recognizing the significance of the event. Witkowski later presented Ortolano with a plaque to honor his dedication to keeping the tradition alive for the past three decades.

Shortly after he received the plaque from his successor, Ortolano admired the “amazing” crowd and reflected on the impact the tradition has on the community. He smiled ear to ear as he spoke about the impact of the event, the first since his retirement.

“It makes me feel good that with all that we’ve put into it over the past 32 years, the success is going to continue,” Ortolano said. He credited the department and the City of Dunkirk for standing behind the event each year.

While Tuesday was the 32nd year that the Dunkirk Police Department has sponsored a National Night Out event, it was the first for Witkowski as Police Chief. After more than two decades of serving in the department, he took over for Ortolano when he retired last November.

A crowd gathered at Washington Park in Dunkirk on Tuesday night for the annual National Night Out celebration, hosted by the City of Dunkirk Police and Fire Departments.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Chris and the work that he’s put in,” Wdowiasz said. “The turnout (Tuesday) speaks volumes about what type of job he’s doing.”

Witkowski said one of the most common things he hears from the community is how they do not know people in the department like they once did. Tuesday’s event gives everyone in the community a chance to change that, and Witkowski is hopeful that it makes a difference.

“This is a chance for them to learn who the police officers are in their community, get to know them so that they trust them,” Witkowski said. “We want them to feel comfortable to call whenever they need us.”

Sponsors for the festivities include Tops Markets, Blasdell Pizza, Southpaw Signs, Save A Lot, McDonald’s Restaurant, G&E Tents, Awesome Bouncers, Atlas Comfort Cabins, ROBO Mart, Dollar General, Imagine This Custom Products Inc., Cattoos, Dunkirk Police Benevolent Association, Fredonia Basil, and Tim Hortons.

“We’re just thankful that Chief Ortolano started this program 32 years ago,” Wdowiasz said. “I look forward to carrying this tradition on long into the future.”