Hundreds of community members braved one of the hottest evenings of the summer to gather in Pembroke’s downtown for National Night Out Tuesday.
The second annual event, organized by the Pembroke Police Department, encourages neighborhoods across the country to turn on their porch lights and organize block parties, front porch vigils, cookouts, parades and other events to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie.
"We are extremely happy with the turnout again this year," Pembroke Police Chief Bill Collins said. "It is very important for all of our community to come together and let everyone know that Pembroke does not put up with crime in our neighborhoods."
More than 20 local organizations participated in this year’s event. Some participants included Bryan County Family Connection, Bryan County 4-H, Bryan County Emergency Services, State Farm Insurance, the First Bank of Coastal Georgia, D.A.R.E., First Baptist Church of Pembroke, local Shriners, the Pembroke Junior Police and the American Legion Post 164, among many others.
Participants enjoyed free hotdogs, soda and boiled peanuts. The evening also offered up an opportunity to pick up free school supplies and information. Pembroke residents Mark and Becky Crowe provided free D.J. and emcee services for the evening. One of Pembroke’s newest businesses, Super Hot’N’Fit Aerobics Center performed a Zumba routine for the community audience.
At 8:30 p.m., the event’s large gathering of participants carried flashlights and glow sticks and walked through the downtown residential neighborhoods as a symbol of taking back the streets from any past criminal activity.
National Night Out, America’s Night Out Against Crime, was introduced by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), in 1984.
The event is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnership; and
- Send a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
NATW is a nonprofit crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country.