By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Over 200 residents attended the first National Night Out held at Lynnfield Middle School’s parking lot on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
National Night Out is a community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie with citizens that is held on the first Tuesday of August. While police departments around the country have been holding National Night Out events since 1984, Aug. 1 marked the first time it was brought to Lynnfield.
The Police Department joined forces with A Healthy Lynnfield to bring National Night Out to town.
“It’s excellent,” said Police Chief Nick Secatore. “The partnership between the Police Department and A Healthy Lynnfield makes this event a natural night. It’s a continued partnership that we have had for years.”
Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade agreed.
“It’s a great community-building event,” said Sallade. “It really connects with our mission of providing positive opportunities for families and kids to connect with adults in the community.”
A Healthy Lynnfield Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Diana DeLeo concurred with Secatore and Sallade’s viewpoints.
“This is the first time we have partnered with the Police Department to hold a community event and this is the first time the town has ever had a National Night Out,” said DeLeo. “I am so excited to see so many people attend the town’s first annual National Night Out.”
National Night Out began with a community basketball game that featured Lynnfield Police Officers versus Lynnfield Public Schools Faculty/Lynnfield Youth Basketball Coaches at the LMS outdoor courts.
The Police team featured Capt. Chris DeCarlo, School Resource Officer Alex Doto, Patrolman Michael Topping, Patrolman Tim Croke, Patrolman Jon Duzz, Patrolman Franco Pisano and Patrolman Stephen Conley.
The Faculty/Youth Basketball team included LMS fifth grade math/science teacher Drew Damiani, Lynnfield High School social studies teacher/varsity football/varsity boys’ lacrosse head coach Patrick Lamusta, Lynnfield Youth Basketball (LYB) Boys’ Travel Director Chris Burns, LYB Girls’ Travel Director Pamela MacDonald, LYB coach Brian Murphy, former New Hampton School/LHS girls’ basketball star Cate MacDonald and retired Fire Chief/LHS substitute teacher Tom Bogart. Middle school wellness teacher Matt Angelo was unable to play due to an injury, but he repeatedly cheered the team on throughout the game.
Lynnfield residents Leo Fama and Bob Relihan served as the basketball game’s referees while DJ Scott Elias of New England’s Best DJS & Photobooths played music from the 1990s through today.
A large crowd watched the fun and entertaining basketball game. The Faculty/Youth Basketball team defeated the Police team 40-34.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Lamusta. “We were down early, but we adjusted, came back and got the win. I appreciate Diana DeLeo for putting National Night Out together.”
Pam MacDonald said the basketball game was incredibly fun.
“It was a great community event that was a lot of fun,” said MacDonald. “It’s great that the Faculty/Youth Basketball team were able to pull out the win.”
While Capt. DeCarlo said he had a blast playing in the basketball game, he wished the Police team won.
“We will be back next year,” said DeCarlo. “It was a lot of fun.”
Patrolman Topping said the Police team played a great game.
“It was a good game,” said Topping. “We played hard and played well. I am proud of the guys.”
Sallade commended both teams’ players for volunteering to suit up and take the court.
“Everyone had fun out there,” said Sallade. “It’s great that we had so many people volunteer to play.”
While the basketball game was being played, a large number of local children got their faces painted by LHS students.
After the basketball game concluded, National Night Out’s attendees enjoyed a cookout. Kayem Foods donated hot dogs for the cookout while Bianco & Sons donated sausages. Lynnfield resident John Micieli’s company, Cool Cow Ice Cream, served dessert for National Night Out that was sponsored by the Hixon+Bevilacqua Home Group.
National Night Out concluded with the event’s attendees watching the 1985 classic “Back to the Future” on a giant blow up screen.
In order to make the movie special, Topping and five friends who are members of the Northeast Regional DeLorean Club brought their DMC DeLoreans to National Night Out. A large number of children and adults got a huge kick out of the cars, two of which included “Back to the Future” memorabilia such as the hover board and Marty McFly’s jacket that both appeared in “Back to the Future Part II.”
“When I heard they were showing ‘Back to the Future’ for National Night Out, I decided to reach out to some of my fellow club members to ask if they could bring their cars here,” said Topping. “I thought it would be a nice touch for the movie.”
Secatore thanked Topping and the five other club members for bringing their DeLoreans to the event.
“It was awesome,” said Secatore.
DeLeo was thrilled that over 200 residents attended the first annual National Night Out.
“We are very pleased with the turnout,” said DeLeo. “I want to thank the Police Department for partnering with A Healthy Lynnfield to hold this event. A Healthy Lynnfield is so happy to be able to offer events such as National Night Out for the community. I am looking forward to seeing it grow next year.”
Sallade was also impressed by the event’s turnout.
“Lynnfield is a great town,” said Sallade. “The community always comes together to enjoy fun events such as National Night Out. It leaves me with a great sense of community. That is what makes Lynnfield a great community.”
Secatore said the event’s organizers “hope that National Night Out will increase relationships between the Police Department, A Healthy Lynnfield and the community.”
“I would like to thank everybody for coming,” said Sectore.
DeLeo concurred with Secatore’s sentiment.
“It’s great that we are able to work with the Police Department to build a healthy community,” said DeLeo. “That is what we are all about. It was a fun night for everyone.”
DeCarlo was also very pleased with the large crowd that attended National Night Out.
“It’s great that people enjoyed it and had a great time,” said DeCarlo.
A Healthy Lynnfield Chairman Phil Crawford thanked Sallade, DeLeo, Secatore and DeCarlo for organizing the first annual National Night Out.
“It was a great event,” said Crawford. “Hopefully it gets bigger and better next year.”
Secatore thanked all of the residents and businesses who “donated their time and money to make National Night Out come together.”
“They went over and above,” said Secatore.