Neighborhoods throughout Cotter are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide Tuesday for the 34th Annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. From 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening, residents in neighborhoods throughout Cotter are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening out with neighbors, police and first responders.
Neighborhoods throughout Cotter will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cook-outs, fellowship gatherings, visits from police and first responders, as well as youth activities.
The City of Cotter currently has commitments for locations at First Baptist Church, West Ridge Church, The Cotter Recreation Center, Mayor Hammock and citizens on Melba Ave., Bob Zdora and citizens in the 100 block of Combs Ave., Wesley Methodist Church, and with citizens in the 300 block of South Ave.
Cotter Police Chief Travis Hopson says, to his knowledge, this is the city’s first time participating in the event.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
The Cotter Police Department will be making visits to all parties. They have free child ID kits for parents, and other NNO gear to hand out to citizens and kids. Anyone who lives in Cotter and would like to host a party can call city hall, 870-435-2122 and register their event, or like them on Facebook and send a message.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Cotter Police Department, will involve over 16,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 38.5 million people are expected to participate in Americas Night Out Against Crime.
Hopson says National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The NNO Program also includes a Project 365. This identifies a problem area within the city, suggests possible solutions, and sets forth a plan to achieve the solution. According to Hopson, the City of Cotter, has some drug issues in the Southeast section of the city. Law enforcement plans to use saturation patrols to target those areas to try and reduce the flow in and out of the area.
For more information contact city hall at 870-435-2122.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI