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Community Corner

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT COMMUNITY EVENT

 Chief Chad Callahan, members of the Ocean City Police Department and PBA Local #61 would like to invite everyone to attend our annual National Night Out Community Event at the baseball fields locate at 6th St. & Haven Avenue.  The event runs from 6:oopm until 9:00pm. The event is carnival style and will be fun for the entire family to come out and enjoy the various activities.  There will be a dunk tank with your favorite police officer, politician and community leaders waiting to take the plunge.  There are many activities for the children to enjoy including several inflatable bouncing rides, an on hands demonstration by the fire department and a few surprises.

 

The event is designed to bring the community together as a sign of solidarity in our efforts to keep the streets safe for all to enjoy.  Below is a history of National Night Out and how it has evolved into this wonderful experience for the entire community to enjoy.

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The History of NATW and National Night Out

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The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW's network has grown to include over 6,500 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations.

National Night Out, 'America's Night Out Against Crime,' was introduced by the Association in 1984. The program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin.

In an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anticrime efforts, Peskin felt that a high-profile, high-impact type of crime prevention event was needed nationally. At that time, he noted that in a typical ‘crime watch community’, only 5 to 7% of the residents were participating actively. Due to the growth and success of these programs, he felt this percentage was too low. Subsequently, he proposed a national program which would be coordinated by local crime prevention agencies and organizations - but that would involve entire communities at one time. The first National Night Out was introduced early in 1984 - with the event culminating on the first Tuesday in August.

That first year, 400 communities in 23 states participated in National Night Out. Nationwide, 2.5 million Americans took part in 1984. The seed had been planted. In subsequent years, participation has grown steadily. The 27th Annual National Night Out last August involved 37.0 million people in 15,110 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2011 will culminate on August 2nd. Over 15,500 communities are expected to take part.

While the traditional 'lights on' and front porch vigils remain a part of NNO, activities have expanded considerably over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.

Peskin said, "It's a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It [NNO] is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes - and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.

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