Police look to build bonds with Night Out
Several cities and towns planning to take part in National Night Out
Police departments from Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, East Providence, and Woonsocket next Tuesday night will participate in “National Night Out,” a nationwide community-building campaign that seeks to promote a stronger bond between police and the neighborhoods they serve and protect.
The goal of National Night Out, police officials have said, is to have local police know their community better and vice-versa. Traditionally, the Night Out is held in a festive, social atmosphere that showcases the positive side of community and police relations for those who may be unfamiliar with their city or town police.
The nationwide Night Out is part of a year-long community building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for participation in local anti-crime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, police in Central Falls said. The campaign additionally sends a message to criminals, Central Falls Police said, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against unlawful behavior.
In Central Falls, National Night Out will be celebrated with police and community partners from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jenks Park, with free food, games for children and adults, and raffles. The objective is to build a “safe and united community” in Central Falls, police there said.
Payne Park will be the place to be in Pawtucket on National Night Out. Located at the corner of Randall Street and West Avenue, the celebration will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. and offer food, refreshments, and music. At the conclusion of the gathering, Midnight Basketball League games will be tipped off from the basketball courts inside the Woodlawn park.
In Lincoln, the police department will partner with Target to host the local community event from 5 to 8 p.m. at the store located at 620 George Washington Highway. Plans include having resource tables from various community partners, free food, games, giveaways, and raffles. Live performances will also be featured at the Night Out, with entertainment from Sound Asylum and Kats Dance Center and Performing Arts.
In Woonsocket, the family-oriented festival will be held at River Island Park. From 4 to 6 p.m., free treats from Taco Bell, toy giveaways, bicycle raffles, entertainment from Bobo the Clown, a disc jockey, and a demonstration of the department’s K-9 unit will all highlight the Night Out.
National Night Out will be celebrated in East Providence with a blood drive. The gathering will be held at the East Providence Senior Center, 615 Waterman Ave., from 5 to 8 p.m. The Rhode Island Blood Center’s “Bloodmobile” will be on hand, and they remind interested parties that as little as one donation can help as many as three patients.
Celebrated since 1984, National Night Out grew from a community watch program near Philadelphia. In conjunction with his local police force, Matt Perskin founded National Association of Town Watch in 1981 to provide communities with pertinent information to help them stay safe. Peskin in 1984 introduced National Night Out.
Night Out grew from 2.5 million people in 400 communities in 23 states in 1984 to 38.5 million participants in more than 16,100 communities around the United States, Canada, and international military bases.