The Sanatoga Post

The National Night Out Night, official mascot of the evening's activities.

The 27th annual National Night Out (NNO),  a nationwide campaign to promote neighborhood spirit and safety, and police-community partnerships, is scheduled for most of the United States (except in Texas, where they tend to do things a little differently) for Tuesday (Aug. 3, 2010). Here’s a round-up of NNO events being planned locally.

• What’s NNO all about? Read more here.

Pottstown PA

Borough and area residents are being welcomed to attend an NNO event sponsored by Genesis Housing Corp., Victory Christian Life Center, and the Citizens for Pottstown Revitalization, scheduled from 5 p.m. until dusk at Chestnut Street Park at the corner of Chestnut and Washington streets, Pottstown PA.

No NNO event is planned this year at Zion United Church of Christ, organizers noted.

Royersford PA

A free NNO block party hosted by the First United Church of Christ of Royersford and the Church of the Epiphany will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Washington Street between Third and Fourth avenues, and on Third Avenue between Washington and Spring streets. It includes music, face painting, games, a moon bounce, a fire truck to explore, police to chat with, child ID kits, balloons, and food and drinks. Participants also will receive small porch lights to take home.

Spring City PA

The Spring City Lion’s Club and the Community Association of Spring City will host the borough’s free NNO event from 5-8 p.m. at the Spring City Pool complex, 268 Brown St., Spring City PA.

Activities will include finger printing and distribution of DNA security kits for kids, face painting, a display of military vehicles, balloon give-a-ways, and police officer trading cards. Refreshments will be available. Musical entertainment is provided by the The Reluctants and Magical Sight and Sound. In addition, the pool open will be open until 9 p.m., and admission is half-price after 5 p.m.

Participating in this year’s event are Spring City Borough, the Spring City Police and Liberty Fire departments, the Chester County K-9 Unit, the county Highway Safety and COAD Group, the Spring City Masonic Lodge, the borough recruiting depot, and area Boy and Girl Scout troops.

Phoenixville PA

Phoenixville’s town watch group, the Community Watchband, is observing NNO with a block party from 7-10 p.m. in the 200 block of Church Street, Phoenixville PA. A live band, the popular local group “Sunstone,” will play in the Baptist Church parking lot. Free refreshments will be available. For more information on the activities, call the Watchband at 610-933-9181.

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The National Night Out Knight, official mascot of the activities.

WYNNEWOOD PA – More than 140 Pennsylvania municipalities and organizations – including those in Phoenixville Borough, Pottstown Borough, Royersford Borough, and Spring City Borough – have registered their intent with the National Association of Town Watch to participate in the 27th annual National Night Out (NNO) program being held across most of the country on Aug. 3 (2010; Tuesday), according to National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin.

It’s not too late for other local communities and groups to get in on the act, either.

Any municipality, law enforcement agency, crime prevention organization, community group or neighborhood that wants to join in the activities can contact the association to receive information on the 2010 edition of NNO for everywhere except the state of Texas, which will observe the event on Oct. 5. There is no cost to register.  For registration materials, call 1-800-NITE OUT; or visit the National Night Out website.

National Night Out is intended to:

• Heighten crime prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Once registered with NATW, based in Wynnewood PA, local coordinators receive an organizational kit full of ‘how-to’ materials, including planning suggestions, sample news releases, artwork, promotional guides, and interim updates.

NNO during 2009 involved more than 36 million people in 14,625 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2010 is expected to be the largest ever, and again this year the Target retail store chain is a national corporate sponsor.

Along with traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, many cities and towns observe National Night Out with a variety of special citywide and neighborhood events. They include block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, visits from local officials and law enforcement, safety fairs, and youth events. Organizing in most communities begins early in the year.

Editor’s Note: The Post is interested in helping to promote all National Night Out activities within its coverage areas. If your community or group has events planned, let us know by e-mail, and we’ll promise to get the word out.

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