Photo by Justin Criado

Mayor Bill Peduto thanks firemen from Deutschtown Fire Station No. 32 for their service as the station was given an “award of excellence” during Tuesday night’s National Night Out event at Tripoli Park.

By Justin Criado

There was free food, games, and arts & crafts. Not to mention the overwhelmingly favorable community participation.

“The turnout has been getting bigger each year,” Community Alliance of Spring Garden East Deutschtown (CASGED) president and life-long East Deutschtown resident Bernie Grady said. “The word’s getting out a little more.”

More than 100 people joined in the festivities during Spring Garden and East Deutschtown’s National Night Out event Tuesday night in Tripoli Park, including one of the city’s more popular residents.

“This is National Night Out and all elected officials need to be thankful of those that are making sure that people are involved in the community. I’m here to say “thank you,” Mayor Bill Peduto said.

The mayor’s appearance highlighted a night filled with comradery and unity, which Grady was thankful for.

“With all the problems in the city for him to come here that’s a pretty good sign that we’re a pretty good neighborhood,” Grady said.

Peduto wondered about the garden interacting with area youth that were working on various art projects. He also thanked the local firemen of Deutschtown’s Station 32, who were presented an “award of excellence” from CASGED Development Committee Chair Tom Pierce.

During a night that stresses the importance of crime prevention and awareness, Peduto stated that such detection and prevention is a joint effort between community members and their government.

“It’s a two way street,” Peduto said. “People need to be involved, but city government needs to be able to be reacting to what they’re saying.”

The annual national event started at 3 p.m. on Central Northside’s Federal Street, and eight Northside communities held functions, according to Zone 1 Police Commander RaShall Brackney.

“I think National Night Out in the Northside is symbolic of what we do every day,” Brackney said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring all the communities together.”

Other than raising awareness, the event served as an opportunity for people to get out of their homes and interact with one another.

“I think more than anything it draws the old neighborhood people out of their regular habit and out to physically meet new people that are moving here,” East Deutschtown resident and volunteer Jeff Wuerthele said. “I’m a new guy and I’m anxious to meet the people that have been here for a long time.”

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