SALISBURY — Many Salisbury neighborhoods will host events and activities Tuesday for National Night Out.
Salisbury Police and Parks & Recreation Department are partnering with neighborhoods for the annual anti-crime celebration.
Each neighborhood event is designed to help strengthen the bond between neighbors and create a sense of local community spirit. National Night Out offers an opportunity for relationship-building between residents, police and other public service departments.
Mayor Susan Kluttz encourages people to attend.
“Each event offers a unique opportunity to enjoy local fellowship, participate in anti-crime programs and to strengthen community spirit,” Kluttz said in a press release. “By striving to develop strong police-community relationships, we will ensure that we are consistently working together to provide a safer community for all.”
Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins said his department is proud to participate. It’s the 28th annual National Night Out.
Each year, the program works to heighten crime- and drug-prevention awareness, while generating support for local anti-crime programs, Collins said.
“By strengthening the neighborhood bond, we send a strong message to criminals,” he said in a press release. “We are organized as a community and together, we are fighting back against crime.”
Officer Ann Cooper organizes the event each year. Planned festivities vary by location and can include refreshments, games, storytelling and educational displays, Cooper said.
Each location will receive a visit by Collins, local police officers and McGruff the Crime Dog. The Parks and Recreation Department and the Salisbury Fire Department will be on hand and offer activities and demonstrations at various locations.
Events include:
• Cannon Park Celebration: 6-8 p.m. at 600 Park Ave. Games, refreshments and music. The Downtown Salisbury Cooperative Parish of the United Methodist Church is sponsoring the event. Participating churches include Coburn Memorial UMC, Park Avenue UMC and Main Street UMC.
• Laurel Pointe Apartments: Starts at 6 p.m. residents of the Laurel Pointe Apartment complex. Cookout, pool and activities for children of residents.
• Fulton Heights: 7-9 p.m. in the Fulton Heights neighborhood. “Eyes on the Neighborhood” awareness contest. Residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights to participate. Contest organizers will cruise the neighborhood and award prizes. A National Night Out picnic will be held Aug. 14 for the residents of Fulton Heights.
• West End Community: 6-8 p.m. Activities will take place at Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St.
• Lincoln Park Pool: 6-8 p.m. at Lincoln Pool, 110 Old Concord Road. Swimming, games and youth activities.
• Grays Chapel: 6-7:30 p.m. at Gray’s Chapel Church, 229 S. Shaver St. Sponsored by the Brooklyn South Square Community Watch neighbors. Activities and refreshments.
• VA Community Watch Program/Walker Street Celebration: 1400 block of Walker Street. Sponsored by members of the VA Community Watch program. Entertainment, storytelling and activities.
• Forest Creek Celebration: 6 p.m. in the Forest Creek neighborhood in the field at Carpenter’s Circle. Cookout, games and health information.
To set up a community watch program in your neighborhood, contact Cooper at 704-638-4463 or via email at acoop@salisburync.gov.
Residents interested in hosting a Night Out event next year should contact Cooper for more information.
The National Association of Town Watch reports that during 2010, more than 37 million people throughout the U.S., Canada and military bases worldwide celebrated “National Night Out.” To learn more, go to www.nationalnightout.org .