See how Glen Cove's National Night Out brought police and community closer together

Glen Cove’s Bridge Street was filled with live music, hot dogs, popcorn, a bouncy ride for children, and smiles all around to celebrate the 40th anniversary of National Night Out. 

The annual event, celebrated nation-wide, is presented by the City of Glen Cove, Glen Cove Police Department, Police Benevolent Association, Youth Bureau, Fire Department, emergency medical services, Housing Authority, Downtown Business Improvement District, and local businesses and organizations.

“This is such a spectacular, fabulous event bringing together the entire community,” Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said. “With our fabulous law enforcement officers led by Chief Bill we could not ask for better and because of my belief in Bill we have added six brand new officers in the last year and a half. We back the blue.”

The event dates to a time when crime rates nationwide were far higher than in 2023. National Night Out started with a group founded in the Philadelphia suburbs in the 1970s. Matt Peskin, who worked with the Lower Merion Community Watch program and the Lower Merion Police Department, reached out to his community via newsletters but spreading the word was difficult. In 1981, he started the National Association of Town Watch to connect various neighborhood watch programs across the country. Three years later, National Night Out was born through law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups and civic organizations. More than 2.5 million people in 400 communities in 23 states took part in the first event in 1984. 

National Night Out, according to the initiative’s website, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Millions of neighborhoods hold their own National Night Out events across the United States, U.S. territories and military bases every year. 

Each year, the event acknowledges people who have made a difference in their communities. Individuals and groups that have made outstanding contributions to public safety well being at the community are recognized for their contributions. 

For Glen Cove, this meant recognizing the efforts of Spiro Tsirkas, director of the city’s Youth Services and Recreation Bureau, Glen Cove’s 2023 National Night Out National Night Out Against Crime Person of the Year.

“Everybody that knows Spiro knows he puts his heart and soul into everything he does for the youth of this community,” Glen Cove Police Chief William Whitton said.

 “As a leader, mentor and friend Spiro demonstrates clear vision and commitment to our community. This leadership drive and passion for all the youth of was to be admired for all, Spiro has truly made an impact on our lives.”

Glen Cove has leverage in strengthening community ties since many of its officers live in the city and spend their free time volunteering with organizations like the Youth Bureau. 

“We are all part of the same community,” Assemblyman Charles Lavine said. “And it is a good thing because we need to trust law enforcement and law enforcement needs to trust our communities. That’s the American way.”