The Chatham Borough Police Department will open Memorial Park to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for National Night Out, the annual community-policing event expected to draw an estimated 38 million participants across the country this year.

The free event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Park, located behind Borough Hall at 54 Fairmount Ave. Residents can meet local officers, enjoy family games, food, drinks, and music, according to TAPinto Chatham. No registration is required.

National Night Out falls on the first Tuesday in August each year. The National Association of Town Watch launched the initiative in 1984 with 2.5 million neighbors in 400 communities across 23 states. It has since expanded to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide. Chatham is among roughly 17,000 communities participating this year, according to NorthJersey.com.

The borough has hosted the event in prior years. At a council meeting following last year's National Night Out on Aug. 5, 2025, Mayor Carolyn Dempsey thanked Officer Brian Colatrella of the Chatham Borough Police Department for organizing the event, according to council minutes.

Chatham is not the only Summit-area community marking the night. As we reported July 25, Summit will hold its own National Night Out at Soldiers Memorial Field from 6 to 9 p.m., complete with fireworks. New Providence hosts its event at Centennial Park from 6 to 8 p.m., and Madison gathers at the Public Safety Complex at 62 Kings Road.

No rain date has been announced for Chatham's event. The borough's event calendar lists the Aug. 4 date without an alternate.