Upper Moreland to Join Horsham's National Night Out Effort

Have you ever wondered about the role of a K-9 officer?

You can meet, talk to and learn first-hand during Horsham's National Night Out program on Tuesday. 

Upper Moreland Police Chief Michael Murphy said one of his department's K-9 officers would be on hand for Horsham Township's National Night Out event Tuesday evening at the municipal complex, 1025 Horsham Road in Horsham.

Besides Upper Moreland's K-9 officer and representatives from the Horsham Police Department, Horsham Police Lt. Jon Clark said several other law enforcement agencies would be on hand, including the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Horsham Fire Co. will have a “safe house” display to show kids how to safely escape a fire and how to establish a meeting place should they get separated from family during a fire.

“The more knowledge, the better,” Clark said.

Representatives of Hatboro-Horsham School District’s anti-drug initiative, Be A Part of the Conversation will be on hand as well.

For parents of kids ages 4 to 14, the children’s finger print and identification kit– which will be made during the event–are invaluable tools to help find missing children. Kids’ photos should be updated at least twice a year, Clark said.

“Kids change,” he said. “Their appearance changes.”

The free get-to-know-the-community event also features free hot dogs, popcorn and water.

New for this year, Clark said car enthusiasts are encouraged to exhibit their cars and motorcycles as part of the National Night Out car show. In all, the parking lot of the township building could hold 120 to 150 show-worthy cars, he said.

“These car shows have become very popular,” Clark said, adding that he hopes it will boost numbers to 500 from last year’s crowd of 250 to 300 people.

Dubbed “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” National Night Out first started in 1984. The effort now involves more than 37 million people and 15,000 communities in all 50 states, according to the National Association of Town Watch’s Web site.

The “Horsham Watch” team will be on hand Tuesday in case anyone is interested in joining, Clark said of the group that’s been a “great resource in being our eyes and ears.” 

If you go

Horsham’s National Night Out will be held on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Horsham Municipal Complex, 1025 Horsham Road in Horsham. For more on the event, click here to see the event listing on Patch, or see the attached flyers.