An opportunity is coming on Aug. 2, throughout Chesterfield County, for the community to meet, become acquainted and form bonds with police officers, right in their own neighborhoods.
Police Officials say that National Night Out is an opportunity to 1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; 2)Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and 4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
“Chesterfield County Police Department has been participating in National Night Out since at least 1988,” said Elizabeth Caroon, spokesman for Chesterfield County Police department.
In 2015 Chesterfield County won an award, placing in 7th place nationally in the 2015 National Post-Project Awards Program, for their National Night Out events. “Every year, the National Association of Town Watch recognizes communities though out the country for their National Night Out events,” Caroon said, “Chesterfield has ranked in the top 10 for communities with a population over 300,000 since 2004. Last year we moved up a place we were ranked 7th in the country.”
So what exactly happens at such an event? It may vary from neighborhood to neighborhood but the common factor is, it is a block party and police officers will be mingling with the community, first responders will be there, some neighborhoods will have cookouts, entertainment, speakers, food and or treats and more. In some neighborhoods McGruff the Crime Dog will make a special appearance.
Caroon said that there has been a rise in the number of National Night Out events in the county.
The 33rd Annual National Night Out will be held on August 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., in neighborhoods across the county. To find listings of block parties near you go to Chesterfield.gov and check for updates.
‘It’s a great chance, especially for children, to get to know officers and see that the police are community helpers.” Caroon said.
