National Night Out in Natchez is an annual event that takes place on the first Tuesday in August every year.

This event involves all segments of the community in building safer communities, generating support for anti-crime programs and helping to strengthen police/community relations.

National Night Out is not just one night of the year, but the result of year-long crime prevention activities in the different neighborhoods in rural Adams County. Neighbors work together in clubs and other networks to prevent and address crime and other neighborhood problems. National Night Out is an occasion to celebrate past successes, discuss current challenges or issues and rededicate our collaborative efforts with neighbors, law enforcement, businesses and others to improve the quality of life in our county.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2007 participants for an enjoyable celebration and the chance to promote neighborhood safety and law enforcement and community partnerships, especially the captains of the neighborhood watch for doing an outstanding job. The captains are: Jim and Dot Sanders, B Street; Floyd Newman and Robert Palmer, Cranfield; Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Johnston and John and Hazel Howard, Elgin; Emma Sessions, Lagrange; Robert Smith and Peggy Norman, Providence; and Supervisor Darryl Grennell.

We need your help and continued support to send a message to the criminals letting them know that our neighborhoods are organized and we are fighting back.

Chuck Latham is an Adams County Sheriff’s deputy.