The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) has announced that Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst was selected as a Military Award Winner for its outstanding participation in the 20th Annual National Night Out against crime program held Aug. 5. That night, the base joined 10,000 communities nation-wide to take a public stand against crime.

This year’s event occurred at the Pinehurst Estates Military Housing Park located in Lakehurst Borough at Chestnut & Myrtle Streets and included games, rides, demonstrations, challenging events and great picnic food and was open to 500 families living near the base.

“We extend our congratulations to NAES Lakehurst for being selected among the nation’s best National Night Out programs this year,” said Matt A. Peskin, national project coordinator for NATW’s 20th Annual National Night Out against crime program.

“This is the sixth time since 1991 that the base has won this recognition,” said Patrick Breaux, director of public safety at Lakehurst. “We’re very proud of the effort and interest generated each year in the local community to make this event such an overwhelming success.”

Sergeant Michael W. Lancaster, local project coordinator, started planning in April as he did the two previous years. He planned, bargained, coordinated, confirmed, and kept everyone working together according to those that helped him. He admits he tries to do more each year for the community and the youth volunteers in the Youth Crime Prevention Unit (YCPU) the base sponsors.

“The campaign helps to build neighborhood unity and it strengthens the police-community partnership,” said Lancaster. “Everyone is a winner when the local residents, members of the various local police departments and base volunteers come together for this event.”

For this year’s event, base fire fighters and Army recruiters stationed on base, joined concerned citizens and police officers from Lakehurst Borough, Jackson Township and Manchester Township to provide a truly successful family event according to Lancaster.

“Nationally, 30 million people participated in America’s Night Out Against Crime; here, we did our part to help others take a stand against crime.”

Photo Caption: Members of the Youth Crime Prevention Unit, wearing T-shirts with the emblem, join their friends in friendly competition at the Night Out against crime during the recreation portion of the evening.