ROYALSTON – Royalston police and firefighters mingled with residents early Tuesday evening as the community took part in National Night Out (NNO).

The event was one of four sponsored by the North Quabbin Community Coalition (NQCC), with similar gatherings taking place in Athol, Petersham and Phillipston. Local organizer Laurie Deveneau said Royalston’s NNO is a combined effort of the town’s police and fire departments and the Ladies Benevolent Society.

“I think we started about four years ago,” she said. “Before that, the town never had anything. My husband (Curtis) is the chief of police. I was talking to him, and I said, ‘A lot of places take part in National Night Out and I think we should to.’ And he said, ‘Go for it.’”

Regarding the importance of the annual event, Deveneau said, “It’s nice that the townspeople come together. Everything’s free, you just come, have a good time, talk with the neighbors, get to know each other.”

Among the groups who showed up for Tuesday’s event were DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Royalston Community School, Valuing Our Children and ADT Home Security. The hot dog tent was stocked with food and condiments provided by NQCC.

Ryan Hood, who Deveneau credited with volunteering for numerous community events, provided music for attendees.

For the first National Night Out, participants turned on their porch lights and sat in front of their homes. Today, it is sponsored nationwide by the National Association of Town Watch. According to NATW, upwards of 38 million people in more than 17,000 communities take part annually.

The original event was organized as a response to rising crime rates. Deveneau said the first one was held in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1984, and the theme of National Night Out has evolved since then.

“It’s more of a community thing now,” she said. “Members of the police department are here; members of the fire department are here. Sometimes you only get to see these people when something bad happens. Here, you can talk to them, have a good time, and interact with them on a pleasant basis.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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