The Rockingham Police Department is preparing for its annual National Night Out on Aug. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cole Plaza in Rockingham.
“The event will take place rain or shine, in conjunction with the 29th Annual National Night Out, taking place in communities across the country,” said Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly. “We usually have 300 to 400 people come out for the event.”
It was estimated that about 37 million people, in 15,325 communities, participated in last year’s anti-crime event.
The band Almost Perfect will be performing, and other events are planned as well.
“We’ll have law enforcement officers in a dunking booth, and we will be making fingerprint identification cards for children,” said Kelly.
Vince and Larry, the crash test dummies, will be on site as well.
“We’ll have fun activities for kids, like face painting, a bounce house, bounce slide, sports challenge and a rock climbing wall set up as well,” said Kim Williams, events coordinator for the City of Rockingham.
Food vendors will be selling items like funnel cakes and hot dogs.
The purpose of this community building campaign is to heighten crime 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 neighborhoods are fighting back.
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.
Post a Comment
