Crime & Safety
Area Residents Unite to Fight Crime at the 'National Night Out'
National crime and drug prevention awareness events are scheduled throughout the area tonight.
National Night Out 2011 takes place today, marking the 28th year the national crime and drug prevention program has been in effect according to Matt Peskin, project coordinator for the National Association of Town Watch. The national association which is based in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania has inspired municipalities in virtually every state in the U.S. to sponsor everything from neighborhood watches to parades on the same day each year.
“All the towns are different,” Peskin said about the crime and drug prevention activities held each year on the first Tuesday of August. “It all depends on if there are citizen’s committees, police committees (and similar civic groups). It’s all about neighbors meeting neighbors.”
Law enforcement agencies, civic groups and businesses participate in the program by holding block parties, flashlight walks, porch light vigils, parades and exhibits. In Avenel, the Maple Tree Manor affordable senior housing unit will hold a program for residents. Maple Tree Manor has been holding its event for four years. Woodbridge police officers will appear at the housing unit tonight to offer crime prevention tips to seniors. The program is open only to Maple Tree Manor residents, a spokesman for the apartment development said.
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"The police department is giving information to senior residents on how to protect themselves from scams and crime," said Woodbridge township spokesman John Hagerty. "It's an opportunity for the seniors and neighboring community to celebrate National Night Out."
“It’s about neighbors meeting neighbors,” Peskin said as he described the diversity witnessed each year throughout the U.S. as citizens come together to create local programs and activities geared towards heightening awareness of crime and drug prevention techniques. Events take place everywhere, he said, regardless of crime levels.
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“We have people in the inner cities of Chicago (who hold events) and the suburbs of Los Angeles,” Peskin said.
Neighboring communities such as Carteret will hold a National Night Out too. Carteret has held the event for 28 years according to Susan Skoczypiec, the Carteret police department administrative secretary who also serves as National Night Out event coordinator. Local residents along with municipal employees and law enforcement personnel will again take part in neighborhood cookouts, pool parties, barbeques and picnics.
"We've been doing something for 28 years," Skoczypiec said, adding that the borough has received numerous awards for its Night Out events from the national association. "We will have six police cars and the fire department involved this year."
Skoczypiec said the borough sends out notices starting around April of each year to inform residents about National Night Out as well as encourage them to register for local neighborhood watches. Public meetings in the Cooke Avenue community center are regularly held for neighborhood watch members who can become better informed on how to prevent residential burglaries, identify theft and other crimes.
Police and firefighters visit neighborhoods registered for the event and distribute small toys to children and flyers from the National Night Out association, Skoczypiec said.
"It's more personal that way," Skoczypiec said. "They (the residents) are welcoming you to their homes. We've had all different ethnic backgrounds of people get involved. It's very nice."
The borough of Metuchen will hold a fair from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. tonight on Center Street between Middlesex Avenue and New Street. There will be music, food, face painting and a chance to have a picture taken with local law enforcement, fire and first aid squad personnel.
For more information on what you and your neighbors can do right now, visit the website.