Police, residents join hands for crime awareness events

At parks in Wyandanch and in Freeport, residents helped promote safety in their communities while flipping burgers on a barbecue grill.

In Riverhead, police officers crisscrossed the town with toys for children and light bulbs for adults as they visited neighborhood watch groups united in an evening of resistance to crime.

Those were just a few of many areas across Long Island that gathered last night to take part in the 27th annual National Night Out, a joint event between residents and police designed to heighten crime awareness and strengthen neighborhood spirit.

The events are sponsored by the nonprofit National Association of Town Watch. They send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, said Matt Peskin, national program coordinator for National Night Out.

In the 1940s and '50s, neighbors knew each other, Peskin said. They gathered regularly for events and looked out for one another. But today, he said, families are working more and talking to their neighbors less. Criminals exploit that disconnect in a neighborhood, he said.

"The neighborhoods aren't quite as tight as they used to be," he said. "So people come and go and you really don't know, and sometimes probably don't care, who might be in your neighbor's driveway."

National Night Out "is designed to re-create that atmosphere of caring and sharing and police community partnerships" and combat the increasing detachment of neighborhoods.

When National Night Out began in 1984, Peskin said, 2.5 million people in 400 communities took part. Back then, he said, involvement in the event usually consisted of no more than sitting outside your house with the porch light on.

This year, he said, 36 million people in 15,000 communities are taking part. The events now include a host of activities: In Nassau, an antique car show was scheduled in Oyster Bay, a parade in New Cassel and miniature golf and a movie in Valley Stream.

Police departments use the event to showcase programs and provide information. In Nassau, department spokesman Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone said officers will have information on programs such as their auxiliary police force as well as brochures on subjects such as how residents can protect their homes or start up a community watch.

Repalone said the events have been "tremendously successful" in past years and serve to bridge the gap between police and residents.

"Anytime we have an opportunity to engage with the public, we feel it's important to let them know we're there to serve them," he said. "Any of their concerns, we have an open ear and we'll listen and do what we can to correct the situation or give them advice."

Anne Stewart, who heads Wyandanch's Weed & Seed program, said the group chose a park known for gang activity.

In Freeport, vendors grilled burgers, kids hit pucks into blowup goals, children had their photos taken and fingerprints scanned for a free identification card for parents.

Barrington Hall, 18, of Freeport, a youth counselor for Freeport Pride, said: "It's great, just the fact that you're having a festival around peace, just getting to know each other and having fun . . . I think if there was more programs like this there would definitely be less violence in the community."

With Laura Rivera

and Mitchell Freedman

Tips to help fight crime

SOURCE: NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL