Rockville Hosts Another Successful National Night Out

Rockville Community Alliance President Jim Sendrak just marveled at the Downtown scene on Tuesday.

The temperature was in the high 70s. It was sunny. It was breezy.

And the crowds flocked to Vernon for the 2013 edition of National Night Out.

"This is perfect," he said.

More that 50 businesses and organizations hosted informational booths and the Vernon Police Department was well-represented to not just patrol the area, but to chat with residents.

Miss Greater Rockville and Miss Greater Rockville's Outstanding Teen – Gina Salvatore and Jeanette Porcello mingled all night.

Chef Chris Avtges, the new food services chief for the Vernon public school system, treated visitors to the education booth to muffins and a zucchini crisp to show off what school cafeterias can do for healthy but creative cuisine.

The Vernon Fire Department let the kids see a truck up close.

When they weren't in the bouncy house or eating the free hot dogs and chips.

National Night Out is organized by the Rockville Community Alliance, the Vernon Police Department and the Vernon Parks & Recreation Department with the help of the Vernon Police Union, Pietras Funeral Homes, Target Stores, Stop & Shop and Bardin Insurance.

National Night Out takes on a block party format to bolster fellowship among neighbors and to promote information on how to make crime prevention a priority in all neighborhoods.