Local communities to join National Night Out festivities

Departments to host celebrations; crime awareness activities include pet adoptions

By M.K. Luther -- mkluther@nvdaily.com

Area police departments will once again join in a nationwide community crime prevention event held Tuesday.

The Front Royal Police Department is hosting its second "National Night Out" at the Town Commons gazebo from 6 to 9 p.m.

The 27th annual National Night Out event is the "brainchild" of the National Association of Town Watch, and is intended to promote neighborhood watch programs, said Janice Hart, the Front Royal Police Department's community relations specialist.

The crime prevention initiative gives local communities a "blank canvas" as far as how to design and implement the event, Hart said.

The event brings in business vendors who must contribute a safety or crime prevention idea, Hart said.

"It is a partnership between the community and police department," Hart said.

Vendors are also encouraged to come up with themes that will educate children on crime and safety issues, Hart said.

"We do it in a fun way," Hart said. "It is kind of like a festival."

This year, the Warren County Humane Society will be on hand with puppies available for adoption to encourage people to use dogs as a method of home security, Hart said. Dominion Document Shredding will be present to help prevent identity theft, while Trout Unlimited will offer casting lessons, and Downriver Canoe Company will provide river safety tips.

The Warren Coalition will also sponsor a DUI course using goggles recently purchased by the town Police Department. The goggles re-create different intoxication levels and participants will attempt to navigate a driving course to simulate the effects of driving under the influence.

"[The goggles] are an excellent teaching tool," Hart said.

Strasburg is holding a public safety day Tuesday from 1 to 5 p.m. in the town park, with other activities to include a street dance from 7 to 10 p.m., according to the town's website.

The Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office will join in Strasburg's celebration Tuesday, and assist with the National Night Out in New Market, Sgt. Mitch Vernazza said.

Vernazza said the department traditionally participates in the event, but chose to join with the towns this year in an effort to consolidate resources and highlight the individual community response.

"Last year, we did our own event with really great success, but this year we are going to focus on the towns," Vernazza said.

In Frederick County, the Sheriff's Office will host a National Night Out Event at the Target location at Rutherford Crossing from 6 to 9 p.m., said Maj. Robert "Robbie" Eckman.

"About every aspect of our department will be represented," Eckman said.

In Winchester, National Night Out is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 p.m., according to a news release. The city event includes block parties, cookouts and visits from law enforcement officers and fire and rescue workers.

Free refreshments will be served at locations throughout the city, including Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church, Montague Avenue United Methodist Church, the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall, the Willow Lawn Community Center and the Woodland Avenue Neighborhood Watch, according to the release.

For more information, visit www.nationalnightout.org or contact your local police department.

Staff writer Alex Bridges contributed to this story.