Parade, food, activities mark anti-crime event at Wick Park

August 5, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Valeria Goncalves of the North Side was among the participants raising awareness about crime in the community during a march near Wick Park on Tuesday evening.

The city hosted the March Against Crime. Law-enforcement agencies including Youngstown police and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office drove around Wick Park with vehicle lights flashing and sirens blaring. The march began at Madison Avenue and Elm Street and concluded at the park with a picnic.

Police from Austintown, Boardman and Canfield also participated.

Goncalves said the event connects police with the community, especially youths. “Police can be their friends,” she said.

The march is part of the National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to improve neighborhoods as better places to live. Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.

“We’re trying to keep the crime down,” said Annie Hall, the march’s organizer. Hall said she’s conducted these events for the past two decades.

“If we can save one person, that’s good for us,” she said.

Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees said homicides are up in the Youngstown area this year but street violence is down.

“It’s kind of a mixed bag,” he said.

Mayor John A. McNally said the community is in a “decent place” crimewise.

Residents came to the picnic enjoying Handel’s Ice Cream along with burgers and hot dogs, which were all donated, Hall said.

Heather Street of the city’s South Side was enjoying the picnic with her husband, Jeff, a Youngstown police chaplain, and their two kids, Troy, 4, and Rachel, 10.

“I was born and raised in this city,” Heather said. “I think this is good for the community spirit.”

Hall publicly thanked the volunteers, local law enforcement and the mayor for their assistance during the picnic.

“This is what’s its all about,” she said. “People coming together.”