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Dennis Police Officer Lori A. Miranda, shown at last year’s National Night Out event, heads up the Animal Control Department. Educating residents and visitors on how to keep their animals safe, healthy and happy is a large part of her job.
DENNIS – National Night Out, an event that brings members of the community together with members of law enforcement sworn to protect them, takes place in cities and towns throughout the country. On Cape Cod, the Dennis Police Department has long held one of the largest National Night Out events in the region.
The Dennis Police Department’s National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. on School Street on the grounds of the historic Graded School House in the village of West Dennis.
Dennis Police Patrolman Ryan Carr is the primary organizer of the event for the department. “It’s for citizens and police to meet in a fun and festive way while enjoying a night out,” he said.
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Dennis Police Officer Ryan Carr, who organizes the National Night Out event, poses with his wife, Chrissy, outside her restaurant, Good Friends Café, on School Street in West Dennis.
Carr explained the purpose of National Night Out.
“It’s a chance for families to meet and talk with law enforcement and peace keeping officers. All members of the Department are encouraged to attend with their families. Residents and visitors can see some of our special equipment and vehicles. We will talk about how we do our jobs,” he said.
As in past years, this year’s event will include entertainment for the children and adults and free food offerings from local eateries.
“I expect some of the local businesses will stay open late,” Carr said.
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The line for burgers and dogs at the 2014 National Night Out event in Dennis was long but moved quickly.
In addition to police vehicles, the town’s Fire and Public Works Departments will bring in some of their big trucks and equipment.
“We normally only see them rushing by. The kids will be allowed to sit in some of the driver’s seats, with parent’s okay,” he said.
There will be additional displays from various Cape organizations and businesses.
While police, fire and DPW vehicles and pieces of equipment will be on display, the regional SWAT vehicle will be at the National Night Out event the next town over, in Yarmouth.
PAMELA BRIMMER PHOTO
Former Chief of Police Michael Whelan (left) and Ken Foster, owner of Hall Oil, flip donated franks and burgers behind the big X-Grill at National Night Out in Dennis Port in 2014.
Signs will direct visitors to parking, which includes handicapped-accessible parking.
“The terrain is quite flat making it wheel chair accessible,” Carr said.
Members of the Dennis Volunteers in Police Service and the Yarmouth/Dennis Community Emergency Response Team will help uniformed officers manage vehicular traffic and pedestrians during the event.
Carr said, “Donations are key to making this work. Ken Foster of Hall Oil will bring the big X-Grill for doing dogs and burgers. I’ve talked with Andy at Dennis Public Market about bringing his mobile kitchen again. Ring Brothers lets us use their refrigeration truck. We are always looking for additional donations of hot dogs, burgers, buns and condiments.”
Carr’s wife, Chrissy, owns and operates the Good Friends Café that is close to the Night Out venue.
“We close at two so there won’t be any problem. We will have something at the event,” she said.
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Dennis Police Officer Nick Patsavos, who helps to organize National Night Out in Dennis, poses with and his father, Chris, in the Thomas F. Martin Training Classroom in the Dennis Police Station at 90 Bob Crowell Road in South Dennis. Chris Patsavos took part in the Dennis Police Department Civilian Police Academy at the senior center.
The Dennis Police Department’s National Night Out is in a new venue this year, because, Officer Carr said, the department is interested in holding it in different parts of town.
He said, it had outgrown the available space around the new Dennis Police Station and was held at Patriot Square in 2013.
A decision was made by then Dennis Police Chief Michael Whalen to rotate the event throughout the town’s five villages. Dennis Port hosted the event last year.
Next year it will take place in the north side of town.
Carr said, “Last year’s event was a resounding success overall. Every year we take lessons learned and use them the next time.”
Also helping to organize the event is Dennis Patrolman Nick Patsavos.
“I mostly cover the north side and Ryan the south side. But we work closely together all the time, on both sides of town,” Patsavos said.
When not out on the road the two men sit side-by-side in the station.
Officer Patsavos is also Dennis’s fraud detection and prevention advocate. At crime watch meetings, in publications and on line, he warns residents and visitors about the latest scams. His frequent admonition is, “If it sounds like the deal is too good to be true, it probably isn’t legitimate. Don’t fall for it. If it’s a phone call, hang up. Do not send money.”
Patsavos is also the Town’s police liaison with the Dennis Council on Aging and the Senior Center.
The Department recently conducted an afternoon Civilian Police Academy at the Center as some seniors prefer not to drive at night.
Among other police department staff, Sergeant Ken Gelnett manages the Community Services Unit, Patrolman Chris Hennigen is responsible for Traffic, and the School Resources Officer is Pat McCaffrey.
Heading up the department are Chief of Police Peter DiMatteo and recently promoted Deputy Chief James Sullivan.
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