Law enforcement agencies across the Golden Triangle are looking to connect with the citizens they protect and serve Tuesday night for the National Night Out.
The National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that started in 1984 to promote a positive relationship between civilians and law enforcement. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, cookouts and other community events on the first Tuesday in August annually as a part of the campaign.
Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is planning two events between 6-8 p.m. at the New Hope Community Center in New Hope and at Kingdom Vision Church in Columbus to connect with local residents. Typically, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told The Dispatch Thursday, the events move every year to give the sheriff’s office a chance to hear from different parts of the community.
“It’s an opportunity for law enforcement to meet with the public and hear concerns and hear problems in the community and to address issues that might be happening in our community,” Hawkins said. “It gives (citizens) a chance to see law enforcement as something other than somebody responding to a call for service.”
LCSO Lt. Rhonda Sanders said each location will hold a “big block party” with free food, games, inflatables and other giveaways, along with time to interact with law enforcement personnel.
There will also be a resource fair at each location, Sanders said, with information from groups like Community Counseling, Social Services, along with information about how to start Neighborhood Watch groups in the county. Other agencies that are interested in setting up at the resource fairs can reach out to Sanders at (662) 251-8153 to participate at one or both locations.
Columbus Police Department is hosting events in five locations between 6-8 p.m. to build safer streets and stronger neighborhoods.
Chief Joseph Daughtry said the city’s Parks Department stepped up this year, setting up locations at Townsend Community Center, the East Columbus Community Center, Northaven Woods Community Center, Sandfield Community Center and Sim Scott Community Center.
City department heads, council members, and other officials will be going to each venue for about 15 to 20 minutes to answer questions from the public, Daughtry said. Police officers will also be present to answer law enforcement questions, he said.
Other activities will be community-led, he said, and may include things like inflatable jumpers, games, and even a dunking booth in one location.
“We’re giving crime a going away party,” Daughtry said. “It’s a party with a purpose.”
Daughtry said he hopes the event gives the police department the chance to establish new neighborhood, church and business watch groups to keep the community safer.
In Starkville, festivities will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Sportsplex on Lynn Lane.
Starkville Police Department Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady told The Dispatch the event is completely free, as it is supported by the department’s previous Sneaker Ball and Hooping with First Responders fundraisers.
The night will include bounce houses, a video game truck, vendors giving away free school supplies, a hot air balloon and a vehicle display.
New additions to the event include horseback riding and at least one military vehicle in the static display.
Police Chief Mark Ballard said in a statement emailed to The Dispatch that the department is excited about this year’s National Night Out and the “tremendous participation from within our community.”
“The most important part of National Night Out is the interaction,” Ballard said. “When police officers engage with community members in a non-law enforcement setting, people see our officers on a more personal level. This interaction helps build strong, trusting relationships between our officers and the community that we serve. This important trust can lead to greater cooperation in times of need such as investigations or emergencies.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
