Stephanie Ruiz, an eleventh grade art student at Everman High School paints the face of Brooke Singleton, 5, the great-grand daughter of Martha Bean Weber.
National Night Out strengthens communities (Posted 10/8/2009 11:51 am)
Forced to move most activities indoors due to threatening weather conditions, Everman and Forest Hill celebrated their National Night Out campaigns with good attendance.


In the past, Everman has partnered with Forest Hill for the crime prevention evening. This year, Everman’s Crime Watch group had grown large enough to enable the city to hold its own first NNO.

The program is designed to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention as well as generate support for anti-crime initiatives. It also works to strengthen neighborhood spirit and build on police-community relationships.

The nationwide campaign is in its 26th year.

“We’re pleased with the turn out,” City Manager Donna Anderson said as she enjoyed music from the Dawg House Band.

Director of Emergency Services Randy Sanders — and the event’s chief operating officer — estimated close to 500 residents took advantage of the evening to visit with their neighbors, meet the city’s police, fire and EMS teams as well as make new friends.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, being our first year,” Sanders said. “The weather didn’t help much but it’s cooperating with us so far.”

A last-minute decision to keep the bounce houses up and running was made by organizers. It paid off as the two structures were protected in the parking lot of the City Hall Annex by a neighboring building and the fire department’s new engine.

Nero, the city’s K-9 drug-sniffing dog, was on hand with his handler, Officer David Niederhaus, to meet the public and let it be known Nero is ready, willing and able to assist the police department in fighting drug crime.

Free hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn and drinks were consumed as residents visited.

The city’s first responders as well as Boy Scouts from Troop 120 taught residents about their respective roles in crime prevention and showed how residents can make their communities safer.

Participating organizations at Tuesday’s event worked to educate those who attended about organizing neighborhoods and taught techniques to fight back against crime.

Live music, games for kids, face painting, door prizes, magicians, bounce houses, clown and vendor booths helped celebrate the evening.

In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council designated October as Crime Prevention Month. Each year since then, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses and youth organizations have reached out to educate the public, showcase accomplishments and explore new partnerships during this special month.

October has become the official month for recognizing and celebrating the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism and creating safer, more caring communities.

The month-long celebration spotlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local level.