For children who grow up in an urban setting, the cop on the beat is not an unusual sight, considering the amount of walking they do in such an environment. In a suburban location such as Glen Cove, however, youth are more likely to be familiar with the exterior of police cars cruising neighborhoods than with the car's occupants, or, unfortunately, often come face to face with law enforcement agents under less than ideal condition.

However, on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 7, Glen Cove Police were walking the beat at Village Square and manning the police station for Glen Cove's inaugural participation in National Night Out Against Crime, a block party with a mission that, along with the GCPD, brought hundreds of residents and families to Village Square.

National Night Out is a nationwide event held in 11,000 communities across America. The event is a fun, effective way to promote neighborhood spirit and bolster police and community partnerships to continue efforts to keep neighborhoods safe. With the theme Teamwork Makes the Difference, this unique crime prevention event was sponsored by the Glen Cove Police Department, the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro and Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi and included entertainment, food, music, exhibits, demonstrations, a tour of the police station, child identification kits and other highlights.

The collaboration which led to the night in Village Square had its beginnings in almost simultaneous ideas by Glen Cove Sgt. Christopher Ortiz, BID Executive Francine Ferrante and Nassau County Legislator Diane Yataruro. According to Ms. Ferrante, once she heard of the national event, she felt it was a terrific idea for the City of Glen Cove. When she contacted Chief William Whitton for his opinion, he told her that Sgt. Ortiz had been suggesting the same thing and put the two in contact to brainstorm. Meanwhile, over in Mineola, Leg. Yatauro had National Night Out on her radar, having seen it done in other county municipalities. When she learned that the event was already taking on a life in Glen Cove, she called the BID and joined in the efforts. The office of Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi came on board, as did State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, who was able to obtain a Byrne Formula Grant Program, administered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the city to help fund the event.

According to Sgt. Ortiz, Neighborhood Night Out was an opportunity for the GCPD to "meet with community members in a different atmosphere than they often do," allowing children to see firsthand the police officers are their friends, something every generation of children is taught. The police station was open, said the sergeant, for children to visit, get a Child Identification Kit, see a demonstration of firearms safety, and even experience a short stay in the cooler ("with the door locked!" said one excited child). Adults and teens were able to see the technological advances that have been made in Glen Cove's PD, as the department advances to a "truly professional law enforcement agency," said Sgt. Ortiz. He added that spreading the word about public safety, and what residents can do to aid the police, was a major facet of the event.

Mayor Suozzi noted that event included all of Glen Cove's first responders, with representatives of the Fire Department, EMS, Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, Office of Emergency Management on hand, as well as members of the Glen Cove Animal Lovers League and the Glen Cove Youth Board.

A splendid mix of fun and serious business prevailed, as Marvin Floyd & Friends provided music on stage at Village Square and children ran with helium balloons that had been blown up by members of the Glen Cove Senior Center, enjoying food and drinks provided by local restaurants, dancing, sitting in police cars and climbing on to fire trucks. The blare of the police and fire sirens, for a change, were sounds of festivity, not emergency. Leilani D'Onofrio, a 13-year-old student at Robert M. Finley Middle School enthralled the crowd with her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, as she has on numerous occasions.

Of course, it wouldn't be a community event without honorees, plaques and citations. Former Police Chief Timothy Edwards was honored as Person of the Year, and State Senator Carl Marcellino as National Night Out Honoree. Leg. Yatauro presented a plaque to Mayor Suozzi for his part in initiating what all hope becomes an annual event.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, who lives locally, was also in attendance, in addition to City Councilmen Tony Jimenez and Nick DiLeo, and City Judges Richard McCord and Joseph McCann. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi arrived quite late, saying he had been given the wrong time and expressed his disappointment at missing the party.

Local sponsors included First Central Savings Bank, Downtown Café, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks, Marra's Restaurant, Sal's Pizzeria, Forest Pizza and Hassel Volvo.

Members of the Glen Cove Youth Summer Employment Program worked very hard, as anyone who sees them around town knows they always do, setting up, breaking down, cleaning up and manning booths.

The Glen Cove BID would like to offer kudos to Sgt. Ortiz; the Glen Cove PBA and its president, Sgt. Pat Hall; the Glen Cove Fire Department and Chief Dave Spy; Glen Cove EMS and Chief Rob Gobbo; Glen Cove Emergency Management Officer and head of Glen Cove Harbor Patrol Michael Salentino; John Pitroski of Flotilla 12-3 U.S. Auxiliary Coast Guard; Tom Glynn, Vinnie Martinez, Jr. and the Department of Public Works; the Glen Cove Auxiliary Police Department; Laurie Huenteo, chief of staff for Legislator Diane Yatauro; Carol Hammond, assistant to Assemblyman Charles Lavine; Deputy Mayor Marilyn Brenner; Youth Bureau Executive Director Arlene O'Dell and staff; Jacki Yonick, Charmaine Clarke and the Youth Board youth; Glen Cove Beautification Commission for keeping up appearances and the local businesses for their support. Thanks should also go to Mother Nature for holding off her anticipated storm.

To a person, everyone involved in the block party agreed that it was a rousing success, especially considering the fact that it was Glen Cove's first foray into the national movement. Ms. Ferrante was approached repeatedly by attendees thanking her for a terrific event and she said that ideas are already being formulated for next year's Neighborhood Night Out. Sam, this reporter's cop on the beat from her younger days in the Bronx, would be pleased.