Free Family Carnival Tonight for National Night Out

The Ocean City Police Department sponsors a free carnival-like event 5 to 9 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 5) at the Dick Grimes Field at Sixth Street and Haven Avenue in Ocean City. National Night Out was established to heighten crime and drug prevention.  Towns and municipalities throughout the nation participate on this same night. The event is designed to improve relationships between the community and the police department, as well as helping neighbors get-to-know each other a little better.  When the Ocean City Police Department first started to participate in National Night Out, it would set up a table at the Ocean City Music Pier and hand out informational pamphlets. The department felt that this was too impersonal and wanted to bring awareness as well as bring the community together.  What better way but to have a carnival? The main goal is creating a free, fun, family environment for everyone to come out, enjoy themselves and be educated at the same time.  Thanks to the support of the Ocean City Policeman’s Benevolent Association, Local No. 61, the department is able make this event such a huge success. They were able to move from one table at the music pier to the carnival at the ball fields at 6^th and Bay.  This year, they’ve added some carnival games for the kids to participate in for a chance to win prizes. They still have the inflatable bouncers, face painting, music, and the crowd favorite: dunk tanks.  Not only will you get to dunk police officers but this year you may have the chance to soak some of the faculty and staff from the Ocean City school district. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 from 5-9 pm at the Dick Grimes Sports complex located at 6^th Street and Bay Avenue.  It is a great time for the entire family. — News release from the Ocean City Police Department