July 26, 2006

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            This is not the first National Night Out in Wake Forest – there were celebrations in 2003 and 2004 – but Sgt. Michael Maron said the department plans to continue its sponsorship. “This will be an annual event like Meet in the Street.”

            While there will be a community-wide block party at the Target Superstore, one police department focus is on individual neighborhoods. “There are some neighborhood block parties planned,” Maron said, mentioning Deer Chase and Cimarron.

            Officers will travel from subdivision to subdivision to meet people who do lock their doors, turn on their outdoor lights and go out to talk with their neighbors about common concerns. With over 70 subdivisions in town, the 43-member police department will not be able to be in every neighborhood for the entire night.

            They will be talking with people about the Community Watch program and how to set it up or, in several cases, how to re-invigorate it. “We originally formed Community Watch programs in several neighborhoods,” Maron said. “We only set them up. It’s up to the neighborhoods to keep them running.”

            The biggest block party will be at the Target Superstore at 12000 Retail Drive in the Capital Plaza Shopping Center along Capital Boulevard. Target is the national sponsor for National Night Out.

            Held from 6 to 9 p.m., the block party will have a variety of programs and events including:

• The Safe Kids Child ID program which gives parents an opportunity to have their children photographed and fingerprinted.

• Information about future Community Watch initiatives in Wake Forest. Police officers will provide rosters that will help new neighborhoods develop their own Community Watch programs.

• Child safety seat technicians will be there to demonstrate the proper installation of child safety seats.

• Wake Forest community crime prevention officers will have information about vehicle security, home security and personal safety.

            National Night Out promotes safe, healthy neighborhoods by heightening the awareness of crime and drug prevention, generating support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, and strengthening neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.