On Tuesday, August 6, the Town of Acton hosted another well-attended National Night Out event at the Public Safety Facility on Main Street. The annual event is held in municipalities across the country and aims to foster awareness of the services provided by law enforcement and an opportunity for residents to get to know the first responders who work in their community, including, in Acton, K-9 Officer Zane.
Most of the action took place outside in the parking lots and driveway, where a wide variety of emergency and public works vehicles were parked. The new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning had a spot front and center right at the facility’s entrance. Public Works employees talked with visitors and invited them to climb up and into the vehicles.
Kids enjoyed flashing lights and honking horns inside the cabs. Law Enforcement Torch Run of Massachusetts, representing the Special Olympics, displayed the mobile plunge tank Bear Force One!
Police Department staff conducted tours inside the Public Safety Facility, where attendees were also able to learn about a variety of community resources with Mary Morrison from Massachusetts Behavioral Health, Town of Acton Community Services Director Laura Ducharme, and representatives from Middlesex Savings Bank.
The Acton Lions Club provided grilled food and cold drinks and Jae Mannion performed live music for the duration of the event. In addition, the Mass State Police Air Wing treated everyone to a helicopter flyover.
Alissa Nicol is a volunteer writer for the Acton Exchange and a member of the Acton Select Board.