Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Time to Give Crime a Going-Away Party


It’s that time of year again – Time to plan to give crime a going-away party on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

That’s when Richmond and communities across the country will celebrate the 27th Annual National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

Richmond Police and Target stores will join forces for a National Night Out kickoff event the weekend before the big night out from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the city’s Target, 7107 Forest Hill Ave. Officers will be on hand with crime prevention materials and children’s fingerprinting ID kits. The festive atmosphere also will include free food.

In preparation for National Night Out, Richmond Police is asking all residents and neighborhood associations to take an active part in this year’s event. The Department encourages groups to host everything from block parties to cookouts or ice cream socials from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3. Individuals unable to attend a community event can participate by simply turning on their porch lights.

“This really is our big night out,” said Community Youth, and Intervention Services Division Captain Sybil El-Amin. “And by our, I mean the Richmond community. Richmond Police can’t fight crime alone. Our success, in large part, is due to the active role the residents have taken in helping us help them. We’ll celebrate that success on Aug. 3rd.”

The deadline to register an event to have a Richmond Police officer stop by on National Night Out is Friday, July 23. The official National Night Out registration deadline is Friday, July 30. To register your National Night Out event, visit our Web site, www.richmondgov.com/police, or call the Community Care Unit at 646-4395.