Over 30 community watch groups are teaming up with the Burlington Police Department on Tuesday, August 5th for National Night Out. This celebration, sometimes called “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” brings communities together to promote crime prevention.
Burlington Police and Fire staff, as well as Department Heads and the City Council, will visit neighborhood block parties, providing information to residents, answering questions, and forming stronger bonds with the communities they serve. This event sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and educated and that the criminal element will not be tolerated.
Burlington Crime Prevention Specialist Greg Turner orchestrates the annual National Night Out event. He says that “we will have record participation in this year’s National Night out.” Adding that, “the event exemplifies community policing by making sure our officers are meeting community members, hearing their concerns, and making them feel comfortable about alerting the Police Department when they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.”
Burlington Police Chief Jeff Smythe says, “This truly is the pinnacle of what we do in community policing. Spending time in small groups with citizens and learning more about their needs and concerns. There is no more rewarding activity for a police officer than to connect in this manner with the everyday folks that he or she is sworn to protect.”
“There is a certain amount of ‘training’ that goes both ways on National Night Out,” the Chief adds. “The citizens teach us about the expectations they have for our performance and we teach them about how and when to call on us for police services.”
On August 5th, from 5:00pm - 9:00pm, residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors. Interested individuals are urged to call the Burlington Police Department’s Crime Prevention Division at 336-513-5449 to learn more about establishing a community watch or for personalized crime prevention information.