In The News

from The Telegraph
August 5, 2007

National Night Out observances set for this week

By LINDA N. WELLER
The Telegraph

ALTON - Police and Community volunteers plan to observe the 24th annual, anti-crime National Night Out on two nights this week.

Alton's kickoff will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the newly reopened Ridge Street Community Center, at the corner of Sixth and Ridge streets.

Participants will go on a short, 20-minute "anti­crime/violence" walk, led by McGruff the anti-crime dog and the Police Department's bright red, flame-emblazoned D.A.R.E. truck.

When marchers return to the community center, they will enjoy free food, music, prizes and giveaways. The menu includes fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, cookies and beverages.

“It's to promote unity among the groups in the neighborhood and to be a little more visible in the community," said Bruce Bertolino, site coordinator for the Weed and Seed neighborhood revitalization strategy. "If they are not up to a 20 minute walk, they should come anyway. If they are bringing a large group, I would like them to give me a heads-up."

Bertolino can be reached at (618) 463-5359.

Besides Weed and Seed's "Neighborhood Problem Solving Group members, other sponsors are the Police Department and Target stores.

Tuesday night is the actual National Night Out, observed in Alton and in more than 10,000 other communities in all 50 states and territories, said Sgt. David Goins of the Alton Police Department.

Neighborhoods across the country plan activities such as cookouts, contests, parades, youth programs and block parties. Participants are urged to turn on porch lights and otherwise find ways for neighbors to get to know - then, hopefully, watch out for - each other as a crime preventative.

Bertolino said that while Monday night's kickoff is to bring neighborhood groups together, Tuesday is for smaller groups or individual blocks to hold their events.

For more information about local National Night Out events or on starting a neighborhood watch group in Alton, call Goins, beginning Monday; at (618) 463-3505 ext. 238.

linda_weller@thetelegraph.com

Alton Weed & Seed Strategy
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