Night Out takes stand on crime

More than 34 million
people worldwide
participated last year.

Get outside with your neighbors tonight and send a message that crime has no place near your home.

By doing so, you’ll be a participant in the 24th Annual National Night Out, a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

Some observances are formal and organized; others can be impromptu. Warren’s Night Out was Sunday.

Organized events today are:

UYoungstown 4:30 p.m., Homestead Park on East Dewey Avenue.

ULiberty, 4 to 9 p.m., Liberty Center Park, behind the administration building on state Route 304.

UVienna, 5:30 p.m. at the bicentennial gazebo.

UNew Middletown, 6:30 p.m., Welker Park behind the municipal building on state Route 170.

UNeshannock Township, Lawrence County, 6 to 8 p.m., Pearson Park.

The event

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from more than 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

In all, more than 34 million people participated in NNO 2006, according to its Web site.

The event is designed to:

UHeighten crime and drug prevention awareness.

UGenerate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs.

UStrengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

USend a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods observe the Night Out with a variety of events and activities such as block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks and contests.