Millersville Borough's first National Night Out event last year was a huge success, and the borough is expecting this year's version to be even bigger and better.

National Night Out will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the large parking lot and grassy area behind Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home on North George Street and the Borough Municipal Building parking lot, 101 Municipal Drive, Millersville. The rain date is Thursday, Aug. 7. There will be a golf cart to transport people to the event from overflow parking.

Melissa Ostrowski, a member of the Millersville Borough Civil Service Commission who is helping to organize the event, said more than 30 local businesses, agencies, and organizations will set up tables with giveaways, games, and activities.

Dillweed will provide live music. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes will give out hot dogs. There will be food trucks with ice cream, lemonade, and cupcakes available for purchase.

Local businesses Sickman's Mill, BN Excavating, Graze, Crossgates Golf Club, Slaymaker Electric, Nino's, and Raney Cellars will award door prizes. People must be present to win.

Skully, the Millersville University mascot, and other mascots will be on-site to greet kids.

"The goal of this event is to strengthen community and police relationships and get neighbors out to say hello and enjoy all of the giveaways and resources provided by our participants," said Ostrowski. "Last year we had over 450 people attend and gave over 250 tours of the police department. We are excited for everyone to stop by and say hello."

In addition to giving tours and meeting with members of the community, the Millersville Borough Police Department plans to take the opportunity to encourage residents to subscribe to its Crimewatch PA website, https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/millersvillepd.

Chief Jeff Margevich said Crimewatch PA began in 2009 as a printed magazine focusing on crime awareness. "It evolved from this basic printed magazine into an interactive website that they've created as a product, and it's fairly inexpensive for the police departments to purchase," Margevich said. "They call it a 'software as service solution,' so it's digital engagement for law enforcement, making it easier for departments to share critical public safety information through web portals, social media, and mobile apps. The goal is for police to share the type of information to the public that we deal with. We are making a big push to get people to subscribe."

The chief noted that as of July 8, just 275 out of the approximately 7,800 borough residents had signed up. "That's why we want to push this this year to see if we can get those subscriptions up significantly higher," he said.

Police department representatives will hand out window clings and postcards with QR codes. Margevich said the site provides residents with a variety of features. "We use it (for more than posting) about arrests," he said. "That's the main thing people have to realize. Maybe they're not interested in seeing who their police department is arresting. It's much, much more than that."

Subscribers can set up notifications and alerts and be informed if there is a street closure or water main break. "We have links to anything that you could need to know," Margevich said. "It's all inclusive. If you are interested and want to partner with us to know more about what your police department's doing in your town and you subscribe, you get email alerts."

Margevich said he and his officers are looking forward to interacting with residents. "That's the heart of National Night Out, to create a nice event for people to have the opportunity to interact with their police department," he said. "I think it's very important, because I know everybody's very busy and their jobs and daily lives. A lot of people may be curious but haven't had the time to stop by the police station to check it out. It's a nice opportunity to come see. It's their local government."

The officers will also entertain younger visitors. "Kids can go sit in the police cars, and the officers will show them how to work the lights and the sirens, and they will just have a blast," said Margevich.