Has anyone noticed the large black banner sailing over Pennsylvania Avenue?
If so, you know that Tuesday, Aug. 5 is a day that should be marked on the calendar.
That’s the day residents of Northern Blair County are invited to Logan Avenue in Tyrone to meet and greet the local police officers who protect these communities. It’s National Night Out 2003.
“The last one we had was three years ago, and there was a great turnout for that event,” said Tyrone Police officer Greg Ray. “We went through some changes here at the station and weren’t able to hold the event, but this year we’re doing it again.”
National Night Out, a unique crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, has been scheduled from 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 5. Ray said a portion of Logan Avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, will be blocked off for the event.
According to Ray, there are four main reasons for the event. He said it heightens crime and drug prevention awareness; it generates support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; it strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and it sends a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
A number of different events are planned and Ray some more firm details will be released at a later date.
Although specifics aren’t yet available, Ray did say there will be plenty of refreshments, games and information material will be available. There will also be door prizes.
More importantly, law enforcement and emergency personnel will be on-hand and offering demonstrations about how they do their job and what the community can do to help them make their jobs easier.
Those scheduled to appear include the majority of the Tyrone Borough and Bellwood Borough police forces, Pennsylvania state police, area fire departments, the National Guard unit, and local dignitaries and municipal leaders.
“It’s totally a community event,” said Ray, “and the community really supports it. When we held this event in the past, the streets were filled. That’s what we want again this year.”
Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods celebrate NNO with a variety of events and activities such as: block parties (like the one here in Tyrone), cookouts, visits from local police and fire departments, parades, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs. NNO has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in the fight for a safer nation.
Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, youth organizations and local officials from 9,850 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide joined forces in 2002 to celebrate NNO.
Nationally, 33.3 million people participated in the event.
