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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Residents are going to be giving crime a "going away" party on Aug. 2. Springfield residents and the city's Police Department will be participating once more in the national event, "America's Night Out Against Crime" with a number of events throughout the city's neighborhoods. Kathleen Brown, the community police liaison for the Police Department, told Reminder Publications that from some of the neighborhoods this marks the sixth year of staging events that promote community awareness and cooperation. This is the first year there have been seven separate "I think people are well aware of the issues that going on in the city Springfield and they want to do everything they can to be part of the solution part of the solution," she said. The activities are designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Brown asked that city residents lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with their neighbors and police. The neighborhood events include: East Springfield Neighborhood Council and Sector C Community Policing Beat Management Team; 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Neighborhood Hot Dog Roast at Marshall Roy Field, St. James Boulevard; free hotdogs, soda, chips, ice cream etc. Bring your lawn chair. Indian Orchard Community Police Beat Management Team; 6 to 8 p.m.; Myrtle Street Playground; hotdogs, hamburgers, prizes, games etc. Maple Commons; 5:30 to 7p.m. at the corner of School and High Streets; hotdogs, chips, ice cream and soda. Mason Square, sponsored by the Council of Churches, Sector F Community Police and Old Hill Neighborhood Council; 6 to 8 p.m. ; event will be held at MCDI. The event will include presentations and a march through the neighborhood. It will end with food for everyone. Avalon Crime Watch; on Grand Street between Wareham and Ozark Streets; food and games. Le Broad Neighborhood Council and X Main Street Corporation. Event will be held at Goodwill, 475 Sumner Ave.; 5 to 6 p.m. Brown said it is not too late for a neighborhood to join in with their own activity. For additional information call Brown at 787-6359 or log onto the national web site at www.nationalnightout.org. "The best way to make our communities safe is to use our communities," Brown said. |