Photos: Roller Girls, Anti-Bomb 'Bots & Eye on Safety

Kids, parents and dedicated members of the community gathered Tuesday night at Mennen Arena in Morris Township for the location's ninth National Night Out.

The initiative—aimed at building good relationships between communities and the emergency personnel who serve them—focuses on drug prevention, neighborhood watch and other anti-crime efforts. It drew participants from throughout the county, and did so in a fun environment.

Kids got to hang out in police vehicles and on fire engines. Groups like the New Jersey Martial Arts Academy showed off their skills in impressive demonstrations. And the Corporal Punishers—the local rollerderby squad—was on hand to dish out more smiles than, well, punishment.

Plus, there was a bomb-sniffing robot. What's cooler than seeing a bomb-sniffing robot up close (especially when there's no bomb, which can be a little distracting)?

National Night Out is held the first Tuesday of each August. It's been held annually in communities across the country since 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

In Morris Township, the Morris County Park Police and the Morris County Park Commission were the main organizers, and several law enforcement and emergency personnel organizations were on hand. Among them were the Morris Township Police Department, the Denville Fire Department, the Morris Minute Men, Picatinny Arsenal and the Morris County Sheriffs Department. Also participating were several sponsor businesses.