in all 50 states in an effort for residents to interact with local police in a
positive atmosphere during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 7.
From 4-7 p.m., the public is invited to join the Berlin
Police Department, other town officials and local businesses at Dr. William
Henry Park on Flower Street for an educational and entertaining evening. There
is no cost to attend.
“It’s a statement that the community has come together to
fight crime,” said Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing.
Among the presence of local emergency service departments
giving informative demonstrations concerning multiple aspects of public safety,
many local businesses will offer activities for children such as bouncing rides
and face painting.
Food and live music will be provided by Berlin Area
Ministries United, a coalition of many churches in the area.
Representatives from the Berlin Parks Commission will also
be on hand. They will be asking residents what they would like to see in the
future renovation project of Henry Park.
The Berlin Parks Commission has been planning major
renovations to the park, such as a new basketball court and an additional
pavilion, that will begin next year.
Organized nationally by the National Association of Town
Watch – a nonprofit organization in promotion of crime prevention programs –
the event is not only focused on the prevention of illegal activities, but it
is also meant as an opportunity to bring community members closer.
“Most activities now take place away from the home or
neighborhood,” said Matt Peskin, executive director of NATW. “It’s just a great
time for people to be out with local police while nothing is wrong.”
Berlin has participated in National Night Out for more than
a decade and usually draws thousands to Henry Park.
Due to the heat, the police department expects a smaller
turnout than usual, but more than a thousand residents will likely attend the
event.
About 37 million people participated countrywide in National
Night Out last year.
Locals will not have to deal with the intense heat of Texas,
however, which is the only state participant waiting until October to hold
National Night Out in order to avoid high temperatures.
This event would not be possible without the funding of the
Collaborative Supervision & Focused Enforcement Violence Prevention
Initiative, a state program that provides grants to support public safety.
For more information, visit http://nationalnightout.org.