Treat yourself to a night out.
National Night Out, sponsored locally by the Jefferson City Police Department, will be observed from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday in participating neighborhoods.
The event is designed to encourage creating or reinforcing Neighborhood Watch programs.
The purpose of Neighborhood Watch programs is to urge observation and awareness among neighbors. Participants are asked to report suspicious or unusual activity.
Neighborhood Watch members are cautioned not to confront strangers or intercede in suspicious activity. Our nation recently witnessed the tragic consequences of such an altercation that left Florida teenager Trayvon Martin dead and George Zimmerman on trial for murder.
Local police say National Night Out is designed to:
• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
• Generate support for local anti-crime programs.
• Strengthen neighborhoods, police and community relations.
• Send a message that our community is organized and fighting back against crime.
To that end, police urge residents to turn on outdoor lights Tuesday evening to show support for the event.
Groups that schedule neighborhood events - a picnic, ice cream social or any other gathering - may contact officer Kevin Kempker, 634-6400, to arrange for a visit by an officer, who will supply crime prevention materials and information.
National Night Out, now observing its 30th year, continues to grow. More 28 million people in about 8,000 communities in all 50 states are expected to participate this year.
Crime is costly.
Victims lose possessions and the sense of security.
Society pays the price of prosecution and incarceration.
In contrast, crime prevention is proactive. We all can play a role by being alert and vigilant, and by promptly reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
National Night Out provides an opportune time to start or strengthen those efforts.