Residents enjoy a night out in Elmont

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Hundreds of Elmont residents enjoyed a night on the town on Aug. 6 for National Night Out 2019.

Sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and the Nassau County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct Problem Oriented Police, the annual event seeks to bring closer relations between Elmont residents and the police officers sworn to protect them.

Speaking during the event, Solages said the police were “doing God’s work in our community” and recounted how, as a child, he feared his father, who was a New York City policeman, would not come home after work. Then, Bishop Christopher Cox II, from the Family Life Worship Cathedral, offered a prayer of protection that God would safeguard police.

According to POP Officer Victoria Ojeda, her division is “the liaison between the community and the Police Department.” She said members of the division visit schools and attend civic meetings to listen to resident concerns and raise awareness about safety issues. National Night Out, Ojeda said, is a “more relaxed environment” to accomplish those goals.

The event offered dancing, entertainment, food and raffle prizes for attendees. Local civic groups and elected officials were also on-hand to teach residents about their organizations and discuss any issues the residents may have.