National Night Out comes to Laughlin

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jimmie D. Pike
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A National Night Out event is scheduled to be held at Hunt Housing in the Community Center on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

According to natw.org, National Night Out, "America's night out against crime," was founded in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, a non-profit organization, as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and let criminals know that neighborhoods are fighting back.

"Here at Laughlin we are bringing in the fire department, security forces, border patrol and more," said Mary Lobo, Laughlin Family Housing community director. "We wanted to make National Night Out about overall safety and prevention to ensure families are prepared for many different scenarios."

Although crime prevention is the event's main purpose, Hunt Housing wanted to make sure the night is as fun for families as it is informative about safety and prevention.

"We will have carnival style games, bounce houses, children's finger printing, and free food," said Lobo. "There will also be information booths set-up for each agency and demonstrations will be given by security forces and the fire department."

While having fun is important, security forces still wants to send participants home with general knowledge of crime prevention for their well-being.

"National Night Out is a great opportunity for Law Enforcement to come out and teach about crime prevention," said Master Sgt. Rufus Peace, 47th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent. "We want to send families home with the information and experience that could keep them proactive in crime prevention and safety."

The events put on for the night will help to emphasize the importance of crime prevention throughout the following year.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie," said Matt Peskin, NATW executive director. "National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make neighborhoods a safer place year round. The night celebrates safety and crime prevention successes and works to expand and strengthen program for the next 364 days."