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| By Katelyn Gendron-List, Reminder Assistant Editor WESTFIELD Westfield city officials and public safety administrators are calling upon residents to take back their city streets by participating in Westfield's Annual National Night Out Against Crime, an event which city officials say will send a strong message of anticrime to the criminal element. On Aug. 7, all members of the community are invited to come out to the City Green in downtown Westfield from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and participate in a series of activities and interact with public safety officials in an effort to educate residents on how to protect themselves from criminals. "This is a gathering [for residents] to be vocal and demonstrative against crime," Mary O'Connell, Ward 4 Westfield City Councilor said. "I like the idea of the whole community standing together and taking a stand for what they believe in. No matter what age group or economic stature people are against crime and are making a statement." According to Sergeant Steve Dickinson of the Westfield Police Department, and coordinator of Westfield's Annual National Night Out Against Crime, many community organizations and public safety officials will be present at the event. Organizations such as the Citizens Police Academy, Westfield State College, the Army National Guard, the Southwick Police Department and the Westfield Police Department will be setting up tables and providing residents with information on ways to protect themselves against criminals. Members of the Fraud Department of the Westfield Police Department will be explaining how to prevent identity theft, and members of the Drug Unit will be providing educational tools that illustrate which drugs are currently on the street, Dickinson said. "With this event we want to open up the lines of communication because we work for the residents," Dickinson said. "People are sometimes afraid to call the Police Department or there's an attitude against the Police Department because they feel that we don't get the crimes solved or act quick enough. But by educating them we feel that they can find out why we do things the way that we do." According to Tony Casciano, acting director of Public Safety at Westfield State College, in past years the college has set up a table to educate residents on crime prevention via environmental design. He educates residents about the importance of seatbelt safety, locking doors, walking in large groups and parking in well-lit areas in order to safeguard themselves against crime. "It all comes down to taking away that opportunity because if you take away the opportunity you won't have a crime," Casciano said. "The bad guys don't like light and noise. They like things to be quick." According to Sergeant First Class Keith Kenedy, field recruiter for the Army National Guard miliary police and other members of the Army National Guard will participate in the event in order to educate residents on community safety. "We're part of the community and the soldiers like to give back," he said. "We are fulltime citizens but are part-time soldiers." Other activities will also be taking place on the City Green in addition to tabling O'Connell said. In past years Westfield State College has brought mini carnival games for children such as beanbag toss and the Westfield Boys and Girls Club provide youth face painting. Last year the Air National Guard brought a helicopter, the police department has brought one of their K-9 officers and the fire department has brought their latest equipment for viewing, O'Connell said. The local Stop & Shop will donate hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the Westfield Police and Fire Chiefs, O'Connell said. The event will conclude with a march through downtown where members of the community can come together to show their support for drug and crime prevention. |