The annual Children’s Parade for a Safer Williston Park was held Tuesday evening, filling Broad Street with children on bicycles, scooters and wagons.

The parade was part of National Night Out, a nationwide event that allows communities to promote involvement in safer-neighborhood activities, police-community partnerships and town pride.

This year’s event was put on by former Mayor Doreen Ehrbar, coordinator of the village’s neighborhood watch committee, which led the procession alongside Auxilary Police Unit No. 202.

The parade began at the intersection of Broad and Amherst Streets at about 7 p.m. before turning right at Syracuse Street to enter the Kelleher Field picnic area.

The children who first made it to Kelleher on their bikes patiently waited for the rest of the congregation, which featured residents and public officials on foot alongside a firetruck and rescue vehicle from the village’s fire department. 

Once settled, a line began to form for ice cream as Mayor Paul Ehrbar welcomed those in attendance, including North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Council Member Dennis Walsh and state Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square).

The mayor said each of them were great friends of Williston Park and thanked the officials for coming. 

“We are so grateful for the brave men and women who keep us safe,” DeSena said. “It’s always wonderful to be in Williston Park, thank you.”

Walsh, who grew up in the village and currently lives in Mineola, thanked the village for their invitation while commending the residents for a great turnout. 

The evening concluded with a Q&A between the children, residents and Nassau County Police Officer Jesse Cooper. 

Cooper, a problem-oriented policing officer from the 3rd Precinct answered questions ranging from bicycle safety, what tools on his belt he uses the most and why did he join law enforcement. Police-oriented policing, or “POP Cops”, don’t respond to traditional emergencies, but recurring issues in a community. 

Doreen Ehrbar also asked residents if anyone is interested in joining the neighborhood watch committee as a block captain to please contact village hall.