Neighborhoods needed for Natchez Night Out event

Natchez Staff

Published Tuesday, July 26, 2005

NATCHEZ - Natchez Police and other local authorities are looking for neighborhood participation for the annual National Night Out.

The community event on Aug. 2 is aimed at drawing neighbors together to fight crime.

"It's an excellent program," Officer Charles Woods said. "It brings the community closer together. Neighbors start getting familiar with each other and after that they keep an eye on each other."

Woods said Natchez has participated in the event every year since 1996 and has seen a definite reduction in crime as a result.

"There's no doubt about it," Woods said. "It has worked tremendously well."

Natchez Police, Adams County Sheriff's deputies, law enforcement from Concordia Parish, elected officials and representatives from the district attorney's office will travel by squad car from neighborhood to neighborhood. Officers will hand out toys to children and information to adults.

Each neighborhood is encouraged to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and have cookouts to await arrival from authorities. The event will last from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Eight neighborhoods have already signed up to participate, but Woods said others could sign up by calling him at 601-445-0914 or 601-445-5565.

The event has taken place nationwide for the last 22 years in thousands of communities.

In past years Natchez has had great participation in the event, Woods said.

"Everybody looks forward for the next year," he said. "It gives the community a chance to gather outside and have excellent food and get familiar with each other and the police department."