Submitted by Lt. James Graham, Bedford Police
The Bedford Police Department, in partnership The National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has announced that the 31st Annual National Night Out (NNO) program will take place on Tuesday, August 5. The Bedford Police will hold an Open House from 6 until 9 pm at their headquarters, 2 Mudge Way. There will also be “fun, games, and food from local businesses,” according to Chief Robert Bongiorno.
Some images from National Night Out, 2013
While the traditional ‘lights on’ and front porch vigils remain a part of NNO, activities have expanded considerably over the years. Bedford Police have partnered with several neighborhoods to develop neighborhood watches.
Chief Robert Bongiorno agrees with Matt Peskin who 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.”
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; (3) Strengthen Neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
National Night Out, ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime,’ was introduced by the Association in 1984. The program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin. In an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anticrime efforts, Peskin felt that a high-profile, high-impact type of crime prevention event was needed nationally.. The first National Night Out was introduced early in 1984 – with the event culminating on the first Tuesday in August. That first year, 400 communities in 23 states participated in National Night Out. Nationwide, 2.5 million Americans took part in 1984. National Night Out now involves over 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2014 will culminate on August 7th.
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