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Health & Fitness

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What National Night Out is and why we do it.  National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime”, began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police/community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Executive Director,  Matt Peskin,  introduced National Night Out in 1984.The first National Night Out took place on Tuesday,  August 7th,  1984. That first year, 2.5 million Americans took part across 400 communities in 23 states.

The seed had been planted.

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National Night Out now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories,  Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in an effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.

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Peskin said, “While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make neighborhoods a safer place year round. The night celebrates safety and crime prevention successes and works to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”

The Sandy Springs Police Department and Sandy Springs Parks and Recreation have teamed up for this year’s event which will be held at Hammond Park.  The Parks and Rec event will start at 5pm on Tuesday, August 6th on the turf field with potato sack races, face painting, tug-o-war and a water slide.  The National Night Out event will start at 6pm in the pavilion area with hamburgers, hotdogs, snow cones and popcorn.  The Glenridge parking lot will be closed for a Sandy Springs Police and Fire Department display.  Please park in the Hammond Drive lot. Come by and meet your Sandy Springs First Responders.

We want to thank the sponsors of this year’s National Night Out event:  Target, Publix, Pig-n-Chick, Fast Signs, Kroger, Firehouse Subs (Glenridge Drive), Domino’s Pizza, Rural Metro Ambulance, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, Holiday Inn Express, Whole Foods and Delta Community Credit Union (Sandy Springs location).

Officer Larry Jacobs is the Crime Prevention Officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department.  He can be reached directly at ljacobs@sandyspringsga.gov.





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