Roselle Raises Jamaican Flag at Borough Hall

Roselle held its National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Borough Hall, bringing together residents, police officers, firefighters, and first responders for an evening of food, music, and conversation. The event featured a live DJ, hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks, community vendors, and informational booths—and as the evening wound down, families gathered on the grounds to watch an outdoor movie while children continued to play and neighbors visited with one another and first responders.

Union County Life covers Roselle community civic engagement and first responder-community partnerships across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Community and Government Vision

The Roselle Public Library and Roselle First Community Development Corporation (CDC) had representatives on hand, along with other local organizations. Deputy Municipal Manager Denise Wilkerson spoke to the heart of the event and its place in Roselle.

"This is an annual event. It is huge," Wilkerson said. "Our residents come out, and I think the whole national movement is about changing what the atmosphere is at night and bringing our police together with our community. Our police department takes this really seriously. They love taking care of our residents."

Wilkerson also reflected on what National Night Out means in a borough where neighbors tend to know one another by name. "We're a small town. Most people know each other's first and last names, and we depend on one another because we don't have big-city dollars or big-city resources. You see everyone out here tonight because this is their community."

Mayor Donald Shaw, who has served as mayor since 2019, described the night as a direct line between residents and the officers who serve them. "One of the biggest impacts is that it serves our community by letting people know that our public safety officials and police officers are deeply involved in our community. It's a night to reach out, talk and communicate with our officers."

Police Leadership and Community Partnership

Councilwoman-at-Large Cynthia Johnson credited Police Chief Stacy Williams and the department for the work behind the event. "I commend Chief Stacy Williams and the members of the Roselle Police Department for their dedication to community engagement and for creating opportunities that bring neighbors, families, businesses, and local organizations together," she said.

Chief Williams called the evening a reflection of the department's broader priorities. "This event represents far more than an evening of activities. It reflects our shared commitment to public service, community safety, and meaningful community engagement."

About National Night Out

National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday in August. The nationwide event promotes partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, creating opportunities for residents to meet the officers who protect their neighborhoods and for police to demonstrate their investment in community well-being.

Find more Roselle community events and civic engagement on Union County Life.

7FAQ

Q: What is National Night Out in Roselle?
A: National Night Out is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in August that brings residents together with police officers, firefighters, and first responders to build community connections and promote public safety partnerships.

Q: When was Roselle's National Night Out?
A: Roselle held National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Borough Hall.

Q: What activities were at Roselle's National Night Out?
A: The event featured live music by DJ, food (hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks), community vendors, informational booths, an outdoor movie, and informal conversation between residents and first responders.

Q: Who attended Roselle's National Night Out?
A: Residents, police officers, firefighters, first responders, and representatives from local organizations including the Roselle Public Library and Roselle First CDC attended.

Q: What did Mayor Shaw say about the event?
A: Mayor Shaw described National Night Out as "a night to reach out, talk and communicate with our officers" and emphasized that it lets residents know public safety officials are deeply involved in the community.

Q: What did Police Chief Williams emphasize about National Night Out?
A: Chief Williams said the event "represents far more than an evening of activities" and "reflects our shared commitment to public service, community safety, and meaningful community engagement."

Q: Why is National Night Out important for small towns?
A: According to Deputy Municipal Manager Denise Wilkerson, in small towns where residents know each other and depend on one another, National Night Out strengthens the relationship between police and community and reinforces shared investment in neighborhood safety.

Q: Is National Night Out held every year?
A: Yes. National Night Out is an annual event held on the first Tuesday in August nationwide.