2025 National Night Out Has Officially Wrapped!

A Thank You Message from Police Chief Michael d'Entremont

On behalf of the Dedham Police Department, I would like to sincerely thank all the individuals, organizations and businesses who coordinated and participated in Dedham’s National Night Out 2025 celebration. This is the fourteenth year that this national public safety campaign has been recognized and celebrated in Dedham. Positive interactions between police officers and community members build relationships which form the foundation for public safety in our community. Our National Night Out events provide a forum for members of our community and police officers to communicate and build partnerships.

Events were organized from August 2 - August 7. The key organizers featured representatives from town departments, civic groups, partner agencies and local businesses including: Coastal Ambulance, the Dedham Public Schools, the Manor Neighborhood Association, the Mother Brook Community Group, the Riverdale Neighborhood Association, the Oakdale Square Alliance, the Dedham Coalition for Equity and Inclusion, the Dedham Square Circle, the Blue Bunny Bookstore, the Dedham Public Library, Dedham Parks and Recreation, the Massachusetts State Police and the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office. The civic groups aim to bring people together to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their neighborhood, and throughout the Town of Dedham. National Night Out 2025 provided an opportunity for the entire community to unite to raise awareness about public safety and build police - community partnerships.

The following events took place throughout town:

• Public Safety Building open house, with the assistance of multiple officers, Coastal Ambulance and Community Resource Dog Ruby, community members enjoyed guided tours of all areas of the police station. Police vehicles were on display along with coloring books and badges for kids in the training room.
• Members of the Dedham Police Department and Dedham High School football players took part in a spirited game of flag football on Gonzalez Field. The teams battled enthusiastically and with sportsmanship until the end on a hot summer night.
• Hockey players, figure skaters and those who just wanted to glide around beat the summer heat on a sheet of ice inside the cool and refreshing Boch Ice Center.
• Community members of all ages came out to have some fun, talk with friends and enjoy an ice cream sundae on the Oakdale Square Common. Games, coloring, and conversation were enjoyed by all. The Norfolk County Sheriff provided tours of their command vehicle while the State 911 Department shared information on E-911 services.
• Kids of all ages played lawn games and enjoyed snacks on the grounds of the Endicott Estate as the sun fell from the sky.
• Music lovers enjoyed a free concert featuring the New Grown-Ups Band while having dinner on the Town Green.
• Children and their parents/guardians visited our community room to enjoy “public safety” story time with Ms. Kiersten and a take home craft in partnership with the Blue Bunny Bookstore staff.
• Colorful tie-die designs were created on socks, shirts, scrunchies and pillowcases on the lawn of the Endicott Library. Police, fire, ambulance and D.P.W. trucks were on display for exploring.
• An illuminated group of crime watchers strolled the streets of the Manor neighborhood escorted by Officer Flint in a marked Dedham Police cruiser with lights and siren. The walk concluded at the Trenton Road Playground where attendees enjoyed ice cream while playing and relaxing at the neighborhood playground.
• Outdoor movie night at Condon Park under a summer sky featured the animated PBS Kids Incredible Tales. Prior to the movie, attendees played games on the field and satisfied their appetite with hot dogs, snacks, slush and cold drinks. LL Bean provided equipment and instruction for kayakers to explore the pond at Mill Pond Park.
• Community members of all ages came out to mingle with neighbors and enjoy the park and playground at a hot dog and ice cream social event at the Marie Louise Kehoe Park. The Massachusetts State Police Air-Wing Unit visited with a flyover while the Norfolk County Sheriff demonstrated their drone capabilities.

The Dedham Police Department looks forward to building on the success of these events, and continued partnerships with all members of our community. We are committed to continuously seek opportunities to enhance collaboration and relationships.

Our successful National Night Out 2025 events were made possible because of the support of and charitable contributions made by the following groups and individuals:

Coastal Ambulance, the Dedham Public Schools, Matt Haffner, Don Long, the Dedham High School Football Team, Dedham Parks and Recreation, Bob Stanley, Deb Anderson, Boch Ice Center, the Oakdale Square Alliance, Jody LaPointe, Chris Ryan, Paul and Janet Reynolds, Michelle Persson Reilly, Peter Springer, Patti Roberts, Jean McKinney, Jim MacDonald, James MacDonald, Jean Zeiller, the Norfolk County Sheriff, Sheriff Pat McDermott, Cindy Glennon, Robert Vitale, Norfolk County Sheriff Command Post and Drone Unit personnel, Massachusetts State 911 Department, Erica Adams, the Dedham Coalition for Equity and Inclusion, Tracey Franklin, Myles Franklin, Alex Ocasio, Beth Doris Gustin, Mark Reilly, the Dedham Square Circle, Ann Miranda, the New Grown-Ups, the Blue Bunny Books and Toys, Margie Leonard, Ms. Kiersten, the Endicott Library staff, Brittany Tuttle, the Dedham Fire Department, the Dedham D.P.W., the Manor Neighborhood Association, Terri’s Market, Erika Charles, Carlene Campbell-Hegarty, Jim Maher, the Mother Brook Community Group, Rita Mae Cushman, Michelle and John Heffernan, Chuck DelloIacono and the Chuck Wagon, Joe and Terri Heisler, Carol Harris, Kenny Scott, Joanne O’Meara, Lloyd Cushman, the Dedham Community Theatre, Paul McMurtry, LL Bean, Ben Swanson, the Riverdale Neighborhood Association, Dimitria and Jimmy Sullivan, Jackie, James and Alison Sullivan, the Massachusetts State Police, the Dedham Times, Amanda Smith, Leon Goodwin, Nancy Baker, the Town of Dedham Select Board, anyone we may have overlooked, Community Resource Dog Ruby (GOFIDOG) and all of Dedham’s Police Officers and Dispatchers.

Many thanks to all,
Michael d’Entremont
Chief of Police