Chesterfield County Police Department - Neighborhood Watch Newsletter
June 2009
Download the Neighborhood Watch
Newsletter (PDF)
2009 National Night Out Registration Packet & Celebration Planner!
The message is coming from many directions, both locally and nationally, that the real
solutions to our issues of safety and quality of life lie in community standards,
cooperation and action. We must build, rebuild and maintain a sense of ownership
and responsibility for our community across all lines, which could otherwise divide us,
be they economic, racial, cultural or religious. National Night Out is a perfect
opportunity to meet new neighbors, reacquaint with old neighbors, recommit to
working together and celebrate what we’ve done together in the past year. It’s a
celebration of our power as neighbors!
Included in this packet are the following items that
will assist you in organizing a block party or other
event:
Information about National Night Out
- This enclosure provides you with some background information about National Night
Out. This is a major event when millions of
concerned citizens join together to get the
word out that crime will not and cannot be tolerated!
Planning a Block Party
- This section includes ideas for planning a block party or similar event. Your National Night Out event can
be very simple, or as elaborate as you want to make
it. As always the focus should be on connections
between neighbors of all ages.
Registration Form
- Completion of this form registers your event with the Chesterfield County Police Department.
All block party or event registrations must be received no later than July 17.
Early registration of your block party/event is strongly encouraged.
Last year's National Night Out campaign
involved citizens, law-enforcement agencies,
civic groups, businesses, neighborhood
organizations and local officials from 15,000
communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories,
Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.
In all, 37 million people participated in the
National Night Out 2008.
 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized
and fighting back.
Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights on and front-porch vigils, cities,
counties, towns and Neighborhoods 'celebrate' National Night Out with a variety of
activities. Included in this packet are some suggestions of ways neighborhoods
have celebrated in the past.
National Night Out has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable way
to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a
safer nation. Plus, the benefits your neighborhood will derive from National Night
Out will most certainly extend well beyond one night.
Last year in Chesterfield County, more than 130 neighborhoods celebrated the
fight against crime by organizing block parties or other neighborhood events.
Solicit help from your neighbors and form a committee. You will find that as
a group, you will be able to generate some great ideas as to what type of
event to plan. Your Block Captains may make excellent committee
members.
As the committee chairperson, assign tasks to your committee members.
Examples of tasks might include:
- Selecting an event location (clubhouse, private home, cul-de-sac, vacant lot, youth center, church, etc.)
- Advertising your event (flyers, newsletters, public meetings)
- Refreshments
- Setup and cleanup
- Entertainment or speaker(s)
View or download your copy of National Night Out Party Ideas
Plan a follow-up meeting to discuss your communities’ progress.
Register your block party or event with the police department. (Download your Registration Form)
Talk up your event with your neighbors, homeowners/civic association,
local businesses, places of workshop and friends.
Watch it all come together and enjoy your 26th Annual National Night Out!
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