TAKE CRIME PREVENTION TO THE STREET WITH CARY ’S

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Town of Cary Police Department to host Open House

CARY, NC – When the sun begins to set on one of the safest large communities in America, Cary police, fire, and EMS officials will travel throughout town to bring awareness to crime prevention and drug abuse in observance of the 25^th National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.  Make plans to get a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes look at policing by participating in the Town of Cary Police Department’s Open House and receive your child ID kit from 6-8 p.m.   The Open House is also a great opportunity for all who attend to meet the four-legged members of Cary ’s K-9 crew, see the view from inside a police cruiser, and have a peek at the weapons carried by the police force.

National Night Out is designed to:  1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; 2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts; 3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and 4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting crime.

“Crime prevention is a community effort, and events such as National Night Out help reinforce the important partnership between public safety officials and the citizens we serve,” said Town of Cary Community Services Officer Brian Austin . “It’s that tremendously successful partnership that helps keep Cary the safest large community in North Carolina .”

In addition to the Open House, officials will be visiting neighborhoods and meeting community watch groups and homeowners’ associations by request.  Participants in this year's National Night Out celebration include the members of the Cary Town Council, the Cary Police Department, Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Team, Cary Fire Department, Cary EMS, City-County Bureau of Identification, Cary Crime Stoppers, Cary Towne Center and Heroes on Patrol.

In addition to the site visits, the Cary Police Department is encouraging community watch groups and homeowners' associations to observe this year’s National Night Out by displaying outdoor lights on their homes or holding block parties and cookouts.

According to the National Night Out organization, last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.  In all, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out 2007.

For more, call (919) 469-4324 or visit National Night Out at www.townofcary.org or www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno .

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