Groups hosts crime-fighting event

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WARREN — When neighborhood coalitions, active citizens and other grass-roots efforts combine forces, one result is often a major dent in crime and blight.

That was a recurring theme at Saturday’s second annual Warren Pride National Night Out event, which is an offshoot of the 25-year-old National Night Out crime prevention effort.

Kicking things off was a parade that began on High Street Northeast and proceeded to city hall. Sponsoring the gathering were the Southeast Side Community Association Inc., the Warren Northwest Neighborhood Association and North End Environmental Development (NEED).

A main objective of the neighborhood groups is to work with city officials, law enforcement personnel and others to fight crime and eradicate blight, noted Ken Perrine, a director of the Northwest Neighborhood Association, which has between 30 and 50 members.

“We [also] want to get more people involved in environmental improvements, beautification and litter prevention,” added Mark Waltko, a member of NEED.

Allowing litter to collect, letting grass and weeds grow too high and neglecting neighborhood homes often leads to blight, which can become an invitation for crime, drug activity and other problems, Waltko pointed out.

The event also was designed to stimulate people’s confidence and involvement in their communities, as well as unify them in their quest to keep crime and blight out, said Ali Bashir, chairman of the Southeast Side Community Association, which formed last January and has some 30 members.

“United forces make a voice,” added Melanie Jones, another Southeast association member.

After the parade, three people received awards and were honored during a ceremony at the Warren Amphitheatre: Warren officer Brian Crites, Capt. Ray Knepper of the Weathersfield Fire Department, and Andrew Austin, an Eagle Scout.

Knepper was off duty when a natural gas explosion occurred in May 2007 at a residence a few blocks from his home. With no equipment or protective gear, Knepper, a 20-year firefighter, entered the structure and pulled someone from it.

Crites, an 18-year member of the Warren Police Department, was recognized for playing bagpipes at the funerals of fallen officers throughout Northeast Ohio, as well as special events, and for his service to the community.

Taking home a heroic citizen award was Austin, a member of Boy Scout Troop 25 of Champion, who built as part of his Eagle Scout project a 16-square-foot protective box to house a digital aerial map of Warren that replaces a 50-year-old one. The new map has every city road well marked to make it easier for firefighters to find a given location, Austin explained.

The free program also featured remarks by state Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, and Mayor Michael O’Brien, who issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 8 as Warren’s National Night Out.

Other activities included a children’s costume contest with emphasis on patriotic or crime-prevention themes; arts and crafts; and a dunking booth in Perkins Park for city officials.

Participants also were treated to several hours’ worth of music at the amphitheater by Victory Boulevard and Midnight Special, both of which are 1970s and ’80s tribute bands.