The Columbus Police Department will be hosting a night out from crime. Beginning tonight at 6, Columbus residents can attend events at one or more of four locations — Sims Scott Park, Townsend Community Center, the East Columbus Gym and Sandfield Community Center.
“National Night Out is a year-long community building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back,” CPD Public Information Officer Glenda Buckhalter said. “There will be plenty of food, music, games and school supplies to be given for back to school. All citizens of Columbus are encouraged to participate. This is a great way to get to know your neighbors and learn more about the neighborhood you live in.”
The 29th Annual Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. According to natw.org, “The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW’s network has grown to include over 6,500 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations. National Night Out, ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime,’ was introduced by the Association in 1984. The program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin.”
Last year, approximately 37 million people in 15,110 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide participated in the Night Out.
“When citizens and officers work together, crime has to go,” said CPD Chief Selvain McQueen.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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