Hundreds of children in New London and a crowd of more than 1,000 in Norwich on Tuesday celebrated National Night Out, an annual event organized to strengthen the relationship between local police departments and the communities they serve.

"It's the chance for the kids from the neighborhood to meet the police officers in a nontraditional role," New London Police Deputy Chief Peter Reichard said at the event at Ocean Beach Park.

"Usually, kids meet police officers when they're taking some type of enforcement action, either at their school or in their neighborhood or the officers are giving tickets," he said. "This gives the kids a chance to see police officers at the beach having fun."

Children raced down the beach under the direction of Officer Anthony Nolan. Nearby, kids played volleyball, climbed into a police cruiser and sat at the controls of a mobile police command unit. 

Fifteen to 20 officers attended, including many on their own time. The school department also worked with the police department on the event, Reichard said.

In Norwich, the change of venue to Howard T. Brown Memorial Park at Norwich Harbor proved a success for the 16th annual National Night Out block party.

Several Norwich police officers grilled hot dogs and established a quick rhythm of laying out rolls, filling them and passing them out to waiting throngs.

Officer Julie St. Jean had never operated a cotton candy machine before, but soon became a pro, declaring she was learning "a new trade."

Moving the event from the ShopRite parking lot on West Main Street to the harbor allowed city police and fire departments to offer tours of their Marine 1 boats, while on shore children climbed into firetrucks and an American Ambulance vehicle and tried out the state police "Convincer" seat belt crash demonstration machine.

At the far end of the park, the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department cut up an old Ford sedan, progressing from the doors to the steering wheel, roof and dashboard to demonstrate how they would extricate crash victims. More than 50 people crowded around the caution tape cheered as each piece was severed from the vehicle.

Jaron Esannason, 13, has been coming to Norwich's National Night Out celebration for the past eight years, his mother, Chappel Titus said.

The boy said he liked the new Brown Park setting because "it's bigger and better."

Ethan Hummell, 5, and his mother, Jessica Hummell, just moved to Norwich in April from Illinois. They had attended National Night Out events in their former home state, as well.

For Ethan, the giant inflated slide was his favorite attraction.

"I think the location change brought the turnout up a bit," acting Police Chief Patrick Daley said. "ShopRite was great. I can't say it wasn't. This is a little more spread out. We're doing what we wanted to do — lots of interactions with community groups and police."

In New London, Isis Stoddard, 10, climbed aboard a U.S. Coast Guard boat, worked the spotlight in a police car and met the deputy chief.

"He was cool," she said.

Robert Bareiss, a member of the New London Police Community Relations Committee, volunteered for the evening and brought Stoddard, his niece. "I've got to say, I think we have an excellent relationship with the police in this town," he said. "I look at the things that have happened in this country since the last National Night Out last year, and this is more important than ever."

Denise Debritto of Groton brought her daughter, Katheryn Regan, who attends the Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School.

"I wanted her to just see the cooperation, of the police officers working with the youth and police officers as friends and defenders," Debritto said. "What's happened in the world has painted a very dark picture."

Her daughter met two officers who approached her as she was walking by during the event, Debritto said. "And she talked to them as if she'd known them for years," Debritto said.

Nicole Broadus of New London brought her sons, ages 9 months and 4 years, and her two nieces, ages 7 and 10.

"I thought it was a good opportunity for them to come out and enjoy a time at the beach, but also I think it's great that the New London Police Department is building community relations," Broadus said. "I think it's important for them at such a young age to see these positive interactions."

d.straszheim@theday.com

c.bessette@theday.com