Residents encouraged to come out for National Night Out

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police throughout the corridor are encouraging neighbors in their communities to get out and meet with each other Tuesday night.

Aug. 2 is National Night Out, a nationwide program that promotes community-building through neighborhood gatherings. The initiative in its 33rd year.

Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, the department's organizer for National Night Out, said she can't get enough of the event.

'I love National Night Out,” Hamblin said. ' I wish we had it two to three times a year.”

Hamblin said there will be 19 individual National Night Out events scattered throughout Cedar Rapids, including one in Marion. That's up from 13 last year, Hamblin said.

'We're up, which is really good,” she said.

Events include a poolside party at an apartment complex, barbecues, potlucks and picnics, Hamblin said. The purpose of National Night Out is twofold, she said. First, neighbors meet with each other and, second, residents meet with police.

'We really just get a chance to visit with the community,” she said. 'It's just about building relationships.”

Hamblin said command staff, including Chief Wayne Jerman, will split up and attend the various gatherings. There is no agenda, though volunteers will be passing out information on the Neighborhood Watch and Citizens Police Academy program, as well as stickers and coloring books for the kids. The fire department and representatives from the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa will also attend the parties.

'National Night Out is a great way for all neighbors to join with both law enforcement and community partners to demonstrate that crime does not rule the night and that criminals have no safe haven when the sun goes down,” said United States Attorney Kevin W. Techau in a news release. 'The night out is also a great way to acknowledge the accomplishments of our neighborhood organizations that keep communities safe and to thank our law enforcement community for putting their lives on the line for us every day.”

Iowa City Police Crime Prevention Officer Ashten Hayes said Iowa City will host four National Night Out parties, with the main, citywide event to take place at Wetherby Park from 5-7 p.m. There, participants can enjoy a splash pad, DJ, tours of fire trucks squad cars and an ambulance and appearances from Herky the Hawk and McGruff the Crime Dog.

Hayes said $800 worth of backpacks loaded with school supplies will be raffled off at the four parties.

'It's a wonderful opportunity for residents to get out of their homes and meet their neighbors,” Hayes said.

Other communities in Eastern Iowa, including Coralville, will be hosting National Night Out activities on Tuesday.