Law enforcement officers from across the parish will meet some neighbors for the first time and reacquaint others with National Night Out Against Crime events at various locations on Oct. 4.
The Parish Sheriff’s Office of St. Tammany will host events at each of its four district offices during this national crime prevention effort to increase neighborhood support for anti-crime efforts and bring community members together with law enforcement agencies.
Nationally, the event is held during the month of August, but several communities across the state choose to hold their events during the cooler weather of October.
The format of holding four centralized events at district offices is a way for residents to meet supervisors and deputies who work in their yards, said public information officer Suzanne Carboni. “Our district offices are centers for our deputies. Tonight is a great way for everyone to come out and see the office and meet the officers who work there.”
Neighborhoods can even choose to join the Night Out party as a team with the sheriff’s office, bringing their own tables and tents to set up at their district’s event. They can also choose to hold their own events in their own neighborhoods. And as long as they’ve registered with the sheriff’s office by the Sept. 27 deadline, sheriff’s staff will visit their evening event.
At least 11 minor events had been recorded by the end of last week, according to Carboni’s numbers.
He said the idea of bringing residents together at the parish district offices serves as a way to highlight the offices themselves and remind residents how they serve the community.
“We want people to come and see exactly where their district offices are. During the night out, they can meet with the district captain, supervisors and patrol officers in that district so they feel comfortable if they need to file a report or just talk to an MP,” Carboni said. “We want to know people and we want people to know us.”
He said the Night Out Against Crime also provides an easy opportunity for residents to share information or concerns about their neighborhood that could help law enforcement officers reduce crime. “If anything happens, we want to know about it tonight,” he said.
District festivities will include food vendors, bounce houses, children’s activities, marching bands and other entertainment.
They will be held at the First District office at 300 Brownswitch Road in Slidell; the second district office at 3926 La. 59 of Mandeville; the site of the future Third District office on Brewster Road behind the Target shopping area in Covington; and the Fourth District office at 81635 La. 41 in Bush.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office of St. Tammany, the Mandeville Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Covington Police Department will also host national night events.
The Mandeville event will be from 5pm to 8.30pm at the Mandeville track head.
The Mandeville Police Department is seeking community partners for the event. Any business or community interested in helping through a donation or service should contact Officer Eddie Vansion at evanison@cityofmandeville.com for information on becoming a sponsor.
The Covington Police Department will hold its first night event from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St. It will include food, drinks and entertainment.
