Dozens of police departments plan to partake in this year's event.
In the aftermath of a month that saw at least 10 police officers murdered nationally, cops and organizers say this year's National Night Out will take on extra importance.
Matt Peskin, executive director of the National Association of Town Watch, said this year's National Night Out is going to be "one of the more impressive ones." Peskin said with the recent killing of police officers across the country, he expects more people to come out who may not have planned to.
"You can sense that there is a different kind of energy with everything going on in the last month or so," the 62-year-old from the Philadelphia area said of the many new municipalities that have registered to partake in National Night Out for the first time this year. "Ninety-nine percent of us are law abiding, so this is a great way for cities and towns to come out and say, 'We support our local law enforcement.'"
Dozens of police departments across the Garden State plan to host gatherings Tuesday for National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign to allow for police to interact with the people they serve, and vice versa.
Often, Peskin said, when "something unusual is going on," such as a drug epidemic or an increase in carjackings, more people participate.
From porch lights to dunk tanks
This year, the event comes less than a month after a gunman shot and killed five officers and wounded seven others during a peaceful protest in Dallas after two black men were shot by police officers. Less than two weeks later, a military veteran assassinated police officers in Baton Rouge, killing three and wounding three others.
N.J. cops go to Dallas for officers' funerals, prep for Baton Rouge
"People are saying, 'Let's get out and salute what [our local police departments] do every day,'" Peskin said of National Night Out, which is held every first Tuesday in August.
Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in honor of the officers killed, his department plans to have a moment of silence before their annual gathering, which will be at Newark Schools Stadium at 450 Bloomfield Ave.
For the get-together, some departments plan to set up bouncy houses, dunk tanks, food and entertainment, though National Night Out has not always been as engaging as it is now, Peskin said.
In the mid-1980s, he said, the event changed from encouraging people to turn on their porch lights as a symbol of a "vote against crime in response to the rising crime rates in the early '80s," to more of a community forum.
Ambrose, a former Newark cop who has been partaking in National Night Out since its creation, said the gathering is now a way for departments to tell citizens about their programs and show off their equipment. For Newark, this year's event will also include fire personnel and those in the Office of Emergency Management.
"Usually, it is for police, but I think it's important for others to come out," Ambrose said of interacting with citizens, who he described as "our biggest partners in fighting crime."
WATCH: Trenton EMT busts a move at National Night Out
Lt. Zsakhiem James, who has been with the Camden County Police Department for 23 years, put on demostrations at National Night Out for seven years with his K-9 "Zero," who died in December. He said police once "used [K-9s] against the African-American community," so the program served as a way to turn the interaction with a police dog into something positive.
"Every time we went out with [Zero], kids would come running up and knew him before they knew me," said James, who described this year's National Night Out as "significant."
For the 45-year-old district commander, who served as the department's first African American K-9 supervisor, the job is personal. He grew up in Camden, where his mother still lives. People know him as their neighborhood cop, referring to him as "Zsak," not "Mr." or "officer."
James said he trains his officers to build partnerships and comradery with those they patrol. Once an officer becomes a familiar face, James said he sees neighbors offer his guys and gals coffee, food and on hot days, water.
"And you can trust the water they're giving you," James said, laughing during a phone interview Friday.
After the killings in Dallas, James said he drove to the mourning city with five other Camden cops, who received a warm welcome and had their meals picked up on the way, including notes thanking them for their service.
"I stood where those officers were slain, and looked at the markings from the bullet holes," said James, who attended three of the slain officers' funerals. "There's a divide currently between police and the citizen we serve. But [National Night Out] is one of many opportunities where we can all come together."
When National Night Out was created 32 years ago, 400 communities consisting of 2.5 million people partook in the event. This year, Peskin said, his association is expecting 16,000 communities consisting of 37 million to join in the celebration.
While more people have participated year over year, Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura said he has generally seen community involvement decrease. Fontoura, who has also been participating in National Night Out since its formation, said he hopes the turnout, particularly in urban areas, is up this year.
"We all need a hug -- we like to get a hug and we like to give a hug," he said. National Night Out "is a great event for people to come out and meet with the men and women who protect them."
Though it has been a tough year for those in blue, Fontoura said he remembers the tension between law enforcement and community members being so "great you could cut it with a knife" when he was patrolling the streets during the 1967 Newark riots.
"We've come a long way but still have a long way to go," he said.
Below is a list of many cities and towns that are hosting events Aug. 2:
Atlantic County
- Atlantic City, 4 to 8 p.m., Pop Lloyd Stadium
- Brigantine, 6 to 9 p.m. 25th Street Ball Field, West Brigantine Avenue & 25th Street South
- Galloway, 6 p.m., Galloway Township Municipal Building, 300 E Jimmie Leeds Road
- Egg Harbor Township, 5 to 8 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 2153 Ocean Heights Avenue
- Hamilton Township, 5 to 8 p.m., Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing
- Linwood, 6 to 9 p.m., Linwood Bike Path at Memorial Field, Monroe and Wabash avenues
- Mullica Township, 6 to 8 p.m., Recreational Fields
- Northfield, 6 to 8 p.m., Birch Grove Park
- Somers Point, 5 to 8 p.m., Somers Point Beach, New Jersey Avenue
Bergen County
- Cliffside Park, 5 to 9 p.m., Cliffside Park Municipal Complex
- Edgewater, 7 to 10 p.m., Edgewater Marina Park & Ferry Landing
- Englewood Cliffs, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Witte Field
- Fair Lawn, 7 to 9 p.m., Schmidt Field in Memorial Park
- Fort Lee, 6 to 9 p.m., Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center
1355 Inwood Terrace
- Garfield, 6 to 9 p.m., 20th Century Field (Elizabeth Street)
- Hillsdale, 6 p.m., Memorial Field
- Little Ferry, 7 to 9 p.m., Borough Hall
- Lodi, 6 to 10 p.m., Borough Hall Parking Lot, 1 Memorial Drive
- New Milford, 7 to 10 p.m., Behind Borough Hall (930 River Road)
- Maywood, 6 to 9 p.m., Memorial Park
- Paramus, 5 to 7 p.m., Library parking lot
- Teaneck, 5 to 9 p.m., Votee Park
Burlington County
- Bordentown Township, 6 to 9 p.m., Joseph Lawrence Park (Ward Avenue)
- Burlington Township, 6 to 9 p.m., Green Acres Park at 1001 Old York Road
- Cinnaminson, 6 to 9:15 p.m., Memorial Park, 2139 Lenola Road
- Evesham, 6 to 9 p.m., Evesham Police Department
- Florence, 6 to 9 p.m., Community Center, 69 Main St., Roebling
- Lumberton, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Lumberton Township Municipal Complex, 35 Municipal Drive
- Medford, 6 to 9 p.m., Freedom Park, 86 Union St.
- Maple Shade, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Municipal Lot on North Forklanding Road and Brubaker Lane
- Palmyra, 6 to 9 p.m., Palmyra Community Center at 30 W. Broad St.
- Pemberton, 5 to 9 p.m., Municipal Complex at 500 Pemberton Browns Mills Road
- Westampton Township, 6 to 10 p.m., Burlington County Public Safety Center at 53 Academy Dr.
Camden County
- Barrington, 6 to 8 p.m., Wish Upon a Star Park softball field, Moore and Reading Avenue
- Gloucester Township, 6 p.m., Gloucester Township Police Department, 1261 Chews Landing Road
- Berlin, 5 to 9 p.m., Berlin Borough Community Center at 250 S. Franklin Ave.
- Cherry Hill, 6 to 8 p.m., Cherry Hill Municipal Complex
- Clementon/Lindenwold, 6 to 9 p.m., Lindenwold Park
- Pennsauken, 7 to 9 p.m, local fire departments
- Pine Hill, 6 to 9 p.m., Overbrook High School
- Waterford Township, 5 to 11 p.m., Atco Dragway
- Voorhees, 6 to 9 p.m., Osage and Kresson Schools
Cape May County
- Lower Township, 5 to 7 p.m., Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal
- Sea Isle City, 6 to 8 p.m., Excursion Park, JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue
- Wildwood, 5:30 to 10 p.m., Bill Henfey Park
Essex County
- Bloomfield, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Foley Field
- Cedar Grove, 6 to 9 p.m., Cedar Grove Community Park
- East Orange, 3 to 10 p.m., Various locations
- Fairfield, 5 to 9 p.m., Hollywood Avenue, between Kennedy Drive and Annette Road
- Glen Ridge, 5 to 7 p.m., Glen Ridge Community Pool
- Livingston, 5:30 p.m., Memorial Park Oval
- Maplewood 6 to 9 p.m., Dehart Park
- Montclair, 5 to 8 p.m., South Park Street between Bloomfield and Church Street
- Newark, 2 to 7 p.m., School Stadium, 450 Bloomfield Ave.
- South Orange, 6:30 p.m., Floods Hill, Zootopia movie at 8:30 p.m.
Gloucester County
- Deptford Township, 6 to 9 p.m., Rec Center at 52 Montague Lane
- Franklin Township, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Franklin Township Little League Complex at 546 Pennsylvania Ave.
- Washington Township, 6 to 10 p.m., 523 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell
- Bayonne, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., DiDomenico-16th Street Park
- Harrison, 6 to 9 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 318 Harrison Ave.
- Hoboken, 5 to 9 p.m., Church Square Park, Fourth Street and Willow Avenue
- Jersey City, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Audubon, Arlington, Hamilton and Pershing Field parks.
- North Bergen, 5 to 9 p.m., Locations: Kennedy School (1210 11th St.), Applied Housing (1108 26th St.), Policeman's Park (37th Street and Union Turnpike), Meadowview Village (Meadowview Avenue from 58th to 61st Streets), Lawlor Senior Citizen Building (6121-6131 Grand Ave.), Broadway between 73rd and 76th Streets
- Kearny, 6 to 8 p.m., Belgrove Drive between Afton Street and Bergen Avenue
- Secaucus, 5 to 9 p.m., Buchmuller Park
- Union City, 6 to 10 p.m., Bergenline Avenue between 34th to 42nd streets
- West New York, 6 to 9 p.m., Miller Stadium, 57th Madison Street.
Hunterdon County
- Frenchtown, 3 p.m. Aug. 13, fireworks at dusk, Old Frenchtown Field
Mercer County
- East Windsor, 6 to 9 p.m., East Windsor P.A.L. Complex, 30 Airport Road
- Ewing, 6 p.m., Ewing Senior Community Center
- Hightstown, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Rocky Brook Park (Bank Street)
- Lawrence Township, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Lawrence Township Municipal Grounds
- Trenton, 5 to 10 p.m., Columbus Park
- West Windsor, 6 to 10 p.m., Community Park, 193 Princeton Hightstown Road
Middlesex County
- Edison, 6:30 p.m., Zootopia movie at 8:30 p.m., Edison Municipal Complex
- Helmetta/Spotswood, 6 to 9 p.m. Spotswood Municipal Complex
- Highland Park, 5 to 9 p.m., North Third and Raritan Avenues
- Metuchen, 6 to 8:30 p.m., walk from Myrtle Park to Metuchen Municipal Pool
- Middlesex, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Mountain View Park
- Monroe, 6 p.m., Thompson Park
- New Brunswick, 5 to 9 p.m.
- North Brunswick, 5 to 8 p.m., police department parking lot, 710 Herman Road
- Perth Amboy, 6 to 9 p.m., Albert G. Water Stadium
- Piscataway, 6 to 10 p.m., Stelton Road by Westergard Library
- Plainsboro, 6 to 8 p.m., Morris Davison Park
- South Brunswick, 6 to 9 p.m., Rowland Park
- South Plainfield, 6 to 9 p.m., Behind Boro hall and library
- South River, 5 to 9 p.m., 7 Acres Park (Kamm and Whitehead)
Monmouth County
- Bradley Beach, 6 to 8 p.m., Riley Park
- Brielle, 5 to 8 p.m., Green Acres Park
- Deal, 4 to 8 p.m., Casino Beach Club
- Fair Haven, 5 to 10 p.m., Police headquarters
- Freehold, 5 to 9 p.m., Freehold Township Municipal Building
- Keyport, 6 to 8 p.m., West Front Street
- Little Silver, 5 to 9 p.m., Borough Hall (Markham Place Fields)
- Marlboro Township, 6 to 10 p.m., Cambridge Square Route 9 and Union Hill Road
- Manalapan, 5 to 9 p.m., Manalapan Township Target
- Neptune City, 6 to 9 p.m., Ocean Avenue by the Avon pool
- Ocean Township, 6 to 9 p.m., municipal parking lot, 50 Railroad Ave.
- Red Bank, 6 to 9 p.m., municipal complex parking lot, 90 Monmouth St.
- Wall Township, 5 to 8 p.m., Wall Township Police Department, 2700 Allaire Road
- West Long Branch, 5 to 8 p.m., West Long Branch Community Center
- Butler, 6 to 9 p.m., Butler Police Department, 10 High St.
- Chatham Township, 6 to 9 p.m., Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department,
495 River Road
- Florham Park, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Borough Hall, 111 Ridgedale Ave.
- Jefferson Township, 6 p.m., Jefferson Township Municipal Complex, 1033 Weldon Road
- Morristown, 5 to 9 p.m., William G. Mennen Sports Arena, 161 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township
- Rockaway, 5 to 9 p.m., Firemen's Field, 164 Beach St.
Ocean County
- Long Beach Township, 5 to 9 p.m., Bayview Park, Brant Beach
- Plumsted, 6 to 9 p.m., New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road
- Point Pleasant, 6 to 9 p.m., Community Park
Passaic County
- Pompton Lakes, 7 to 10 p.m., Pompton Lakes High School parking lot
- Woodland Park, 6 to 9 p.m., Memorial Drive
- Pittsgrove, 6 to 8 p.m., Green Branch Park, Upper Neck Road.
Somerset County
- Bernardsville, 6 to 10 p.m., Bernardsville Community Pool
- Bound Brook, 6 to 9 p.m., Codrington Park
- Branchburg, 5K Run at 7 p.m., White Oak Park
- Bridgewater, 5 p.m. TD Bank Ballpark, game at 7:05 p.m.
- Green Brook, 5 to 9 p.m., Green Brook Middle School
- North Plainfield, 6 to 9 p.m., Somerset Street/Municipal Lot
- Somerville, 6 to 9 p.m., Carol Pager Park (Exchange Field)
Union County
- Cranford, 6 to 9 p.m., Patrolman Robert F. Hand Plaza
- Elizabeth, 6 to 8 p.m., 'Movie in the Park' at 8:30 p.m., Carteret Park, Elmora Avenue and Murray Street
- Fanwood, 7 p.m. to dusk, LaGrande Park
- Linden, 5 to 7 p.m., Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 N. Wood Ave.
- New Providence, 6 to 9 p.m., Centennial Park
- Roselle, 5 to 9 p.m., community center, West Second Avenue and Pine Street
- Union County, Springfield, 6 p.m., movie Zootopia at 8 p.m., Meisel Park
Warren County
- Belvidere, 6 to 8 p.m., Belvidere Good Will Fire Company #1, 689 Water St.
- Pohatcong, 6 to 9 p.m., Huntington Fire House
Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook.