Backing the Blue
Dunkirk celebrates 33rd annual ‘Night Out’
Dunkirk Police Officer Markus Jopek ties a balloon on the wrist of a child during the National Night Out celebration at Washington Park in Dunkirk on Tuesday.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured from left to right: Past Chiefs of the Dunkirk Police Department Chris Witkowski and David Ortolano; Current Chief of Police Doug Switzer; and Dunkirk Fire Chief Nicholas Barter.
Throughout the evening, children interacted with McGruff the Crime Dog at Dunkirk’s National Night Out celebration.
Dunkirk Police Officer Markus Jopek ties a balloon on the wrist of a child during the National Night Out celebration at Washington Park in Dunkirk on Tuesday.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured from left to right: Past Chiefs of the Dunkirk Police Department Chris Witkowski and David Ortolano; Current Chief of Police Doug Switzer; and Dunkirk Fire Chief Nicholas Barter.
Throughout the evening, children interacted with McGruff the Crime Dog at Dunkirk’s National Night Out celebration.
Trending
Tuesday night at Washington Park, the Dunkirk community came together to spend an evening with the men and women who have their backs when they need it most.
The Dunkirk Police Department celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday, in conjunction with the City of Dunkirk Fire Department. It was Dunkirk's 33rd annual National Night Out event. Dunkirk police officers and firefighters filled Washington Park with a crowd of happy families enjoying the bright, sunny evening, just as they did a year ago, and many years before that.
"It's very heartwarming to see the community come together with all of our first responders. It gives a chance for everybody to meet these people before they meet them in a crisis," Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said. "It's obviously a great program. I'm glad that we've had this for 30-plus years now."
The biggest hits of the event were the bounce houses, a seemingly endless line for pizza, and McGruff the Crime Dog. Live music was performed by The Footsteps, and snacks and drinks were provided. Guests could also drive through Washington Avenue for a safety inspection of car seats to ensure our community's most precious cargo is properly secured.
The event, like many of its kind throughout the nation, is designed to foster positive relationships between the police and the communities they serve.
"It's good for people to see the guys who wear this uniform are human also. We live in this community, we shop and eat at all the same places," said Dunkirk Police Chief Doug Switzer. "It's important to see us down here with our families, hanging out and talking, to realize we're just like them too."
Tuesday was a perfect first day as Chief of Police for Switzer, who was appointed to the permanent role on Monday. Switzer had been acting as interim Chief of Police since Chris Witkowski retired in February.
"I am very excited for this next chapter in the City's Police Department," Wdowiasz said of Switzer taking over as Police Chief. "It's been a pleasure working with him. … He is a true leader."
Switzer joined the Dunkirk Police Department in 2008, and in total, he has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. Switzer said while his title changed, he is still the same man he was before it.
"I hope people know I'm approachable. They've seen my face before over many years down here, and I'm the same person whether I'm in the new position or not. I encourage everyone to come up and talk," Switzer said. "I have an open door. If you want to speak to me directly, please stop down."
At last year's National Night Out celebration, former Chief Chris Witkowski honored his predecessor, David Ortolano, for founding Dunkirk's Night Out more than three decades ago. He modeled it after the National Night Out campaign in communities across the United States. Ortolano later became Dunkirk's Police Chief in 2005.
Switzer is Dunkirk's third Chief of Police in as many years. All three Police Chiefs were at Tuesday's event to honor the tradition that has lasted more than three decades in the city.
"I hope this continues for a long time. As long as I'm here, I will promote it," Switzer said. He credited Ortolano for establishing the event and building it over three decades. Switzer added, "It's a success because of him, and I'm willing to keep it going like that."
The event was sponsored by Blasdell Pizza, Tops Friendly Markets, Robo Mart, G&E Tents, Atlas Comfort Cabins, Awesome Bouncers, Basil Fredonia, Tim Hortons, Imagine This Custom Products Inc., Cattoos, and Walmart.
"The City of Dunkirk has a very strong department and a lot of support, not just from City Hall, but also from the community. There is a whole slew of volunteers that make this happen, along with our community partners," Wdowiasz said.
"We need community support with everything, whether it's events like this or other events. We may be the faces of this, along with the Fire Department, but there are people behind the scenes we count on just as much," Switzer said. "It takes a bunch of people to come together to make this work."