Night Out builds community, fights crime
Date: 8/1/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — Jean Fitzgerald, the organizer of the annual Night Out Against Crime said the event is "a chance for the community to meet police in a relaxed fun-filled atmosphere."
The local Night Out — part of a national movement — will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at Sara Jane Park on Meadow Street on Aug. 6. The activities are free of charge.
Fitzgerald said this will be the 19th year for Night Out in Chicopee and will feature police and fire demonstrations, the Springfield Armor mascot Steel, a wing eating contest between the Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High school football teams, free food, live music, face-painting, a bounce house and a skateboard demonstration.
There will also be a drawing every half hour for a backpack with school supplies, she added.
The evening would culminate at about 8:30 p.m. with a flashlight parade and Fitzgerald said other features are still being finalized.
She said that last year Night Out attracted about 3,000 people. "It's pretty big, " Fitzgerald said.
According to information supplied by the National Night Out organization, the 28th Annual National Night Out last year "involved 37.1 million people in 15,325 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide."
The event grew out of an effort to encourage people to turn on their porch lights and meet with neighbors outside of their homes after dark. Fitzgerald said the idea was "turn on your lights and turn off crime."
The founder of the movement, Matthew Peskin, said, "It's a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes — and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days."
