Other events were held in Chicopee, Palmer and East Longmeadow.
SPRINGFIELD - Hundreds of neighborhood residents attended the first National Night Out party held at Nathan Bill Park in East Forest Park.
Organizer Beth Hogan said she organized the event “to celebrate community and build partnerships with the Police and Fire Departments and state police.”
National Night Out events were held in seven other neighborhoods of the city on Tuesday as well.
East Forest Park has “good community,” Hogan said, adding that she has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years.
Former City Councilor William Foley who said he lives in East Forest Park said last year's tornado devastated a swathe of East Forest Park last year. He said the signs of the tornado are gone, except for some missing trees.
“Neighbors are walking to this event, and they will keep coming,” Foley said. “This is a very strong, neighborhood community.”
National Night Out, which involves all 50 states, started 29 years ago and has spread. Communities gather on Aug. 7 in a show of force against violence, drugs, gangs and crime. Police typically attend to meet residents and demonstrate some of their special units.
Hogan thanked State Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., D-Springfield, for inviting the state police to attend the East Forest Park event.
Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni also attended.
In Springfield National Night Outs also were held in East Springfield, Indian Orchard, City View Commons at Federal Court, Kenific Park on Plainfield Street in the North End, Allen Park Road, Seniority House at 307 Chestnut Street and Old Hill, Upper Hill and Maple High Six Corners at 721 State Street.
Chicopee held a National Night Out event on Monday, the day before the national event.
Jean Fitzgerald, chair of the National Night Out Against Crime Committee in Chicopee and founder of the event, said 3,000 to 4,000 people attended in Chicopee.
This was the 19th year of the event in Chicopee. Spread out across Sarah Jane Sherman Park were bounce houses, games offered by different community groups, a bicycle and skateboard demonstration and free food.
In Palmer, National Night Out was held in the parking lot of the Divine Mercy Parish on Main Street in Three Rivers.
The event was hosted by the Three Rivers Fire Department which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“This is great for all the kids,” Town Council President Philip J. Hebert said. “They all love the fire trucks.”