S. Florida Communities Ready For National Night Out
MIAMI (CBS4) -- Residents across South Florida plan to take over the streets Tuesday night for the 29th Annual National Night Out.
The program is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
"The sense of community working together shows us we all have a stake in this and when we work together to combat crime we're much more successful," said Miami Police Major Delrish Moss. "Kids seeing us in this environment seeing us as human beings who are simply wearing uniforms and taking responsibility for the neighborhood is always a positive."
It has also inspired a new generation of young people who want to do good by their community, by signing up for the Police Explorers program
"I've seen a lot of gangs I live right by a park I see a lot of gangs so I want to make a difference for children who look up to a role model. I want to be one of those role models," said police explorer Michael Sanchez.
Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2011.
Homeowners are encouraged to leave on their front lights as a sign of support.
In South Florida, police agencies from Key West to Deerfield Beach will participate in the National Night Out Against Crime.
The City of Miami has organized a large event called "Miami's Stand Against Crime." It takes place at Bayfront Park, located at 301 N. Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. There will be free food, entertainment, information and plenty of fun.
North Miami has organized two National Night Out Against Crime events featuring music, food, and children's activities.
District 4 Community Bike Ride
Sunkist Grove Community Center
12500 NW 13th Avenue
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Contact: (786) 400-3811
Community Block Party
Johnson & Wales University
1701 NE 127 Street
North Miami, FL 33181
Food trucks, giveaways, children's activities.
Contact: (305) 891-0294, ext. 23200
Here is a listing of other events:
Gulfstream Park
901 S. Federal Highway
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
There will be a K-9 pursuit demonstration, enactment of a SWAT hostage situation and crime scene investigative science. Kids will learn how to dust and lift fingerprints and can have their own prints and DNA taken. Detectives will show how a photo lineup works and other departments will be on hand to talk about crime prevention and safety.
Davie
Up to 30 different homeowner associations are participating in events and five communities will be visited by Davie police. The door knocks will be followed by a pool party in Country Creek with McGruff the crime fighting dog, popcorn, snow cones and badges for kids.
Hollywood
Playland Estates Civic Association will be at the Fire Department Training Center, next to the Oak Lake Park at 3400 56th Avenue between Sheridan Street and Stirling Road from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The community is welcome to enjoy food, drinks as well as a bounce house for children. Crime watch and community protection information will be available. For more information call 954-662-1510.
Margate
The Margate Police Department puts on one of the largest events in Broward County, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. that includes helicopters from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Broward Sheriff; agents from the U.S. Secret Service and members of every branch of the military on hand. There will be free hotdogs and snow cones provided at the city sports complex, 1695 Banks Road. Broward County Crime Stoppers will also do fingerprint ID and DNA kits.
North Lauderdale
The Broward Sheriff's Office will host National Night Out activities from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex located at 701 S.W. 71st Avenue, North Lauderdale. Law enforcement equipment will be on display as well as a bounce house for the children and free refreshments.
Sunrise
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Sunrise Safety Building, 10440 W. Oakland Park Blvd. This free, family-friendly event will feature refreshments, live music, Police demonstrations, equipment displays, child fingerprinting and plenty of fun. Call 954-746-3653 for more information.
Lauderhill:
From 5:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. at Lauderhill Sports Park, 7500 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Free. Call 954-497-4705.
Fort Lauderdale:
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave. and Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Free. Call 954-828-4742.
Other BSO events:
Pembroke Park/West Park
Starting at 6:00 p.m. enjoy an evening of fun, games, prizes, free food and beverages at the Pembroke Park/West Park district office at 3201 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. There will be a public safety presentation, along with sheriff and fire rescue vehicles on display.
Dania Beach
Join Dania Beach district personnel from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. for America's night out against crime. Activities include: a DJ, bounce house, food and refreshments, K-9 demonstration and a fire equipment display. All the activities take place at Patrick J. Meli Park at 2901 S.W. 52 St.
Lauderdale Lakes
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the public is invited to enjoy festivities at Vincent Torres Memorial Park at 4331 N.W. 36 St. There will be a distribution of child ID kits, law enforcement displays and safety demonstrations.
Central Broward
Starting at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. residents are invited to join the Central Broward district personnel at Delevoe Park at 2520 N.W. 6 St. in unincorporated Central Broward near Fort Lauderdale. There will be presentations for children and adults, refreshments and give-a-ways.
Tamarac
Starting at 6:00 p.m. Tamarac district personnel and residents will take a stand against crime. Meet the Tamarac district chief and staff, visit some of the specialized units, gather crime prevention information and receive give-a-ways and FREE refreshments at the Lakes of Carriage Hills Clubhouse at 4985 E. Sabal Palm Blvd. Then join the caravan at 7:15 p.m. to Concord Village Condominium Clubhouse at 6501 N. University Dr.
Weston
At 5:30 p.m. Weston residents are invited to a National Night Out appreciation dinner located at the Police Services Building at 17300 Royal Palm Blvd. Come and meet one another and gather important crime prevention information to help keep you and your family safe.
Deerfield Beach
From 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. residents will enjoy rock climbing, a bounce house, obstacle course, music, refreshments and law enforcement demonstrations. All activities will take place at Quiet Waters Park at 401 S. Powerline Rd.
Pompano Beach
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. residents are welcome to Pompano Beach City Hall at 100 W. Atlantic Blvd. for a host of activities and personality appearances including: Mobile Mike, Zumba dancers, Super Heroes, Capoeira Martial Art dancers, Zimbabwe dancers, a bounce house, face painting clowns, balloon making, Mariachi band, Brazilian/Italian singer Erminio Spalla, Gamesxite – mobile video game center, BSO SWAT vehicle & K-9, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, Police Women of Broward County, some Miami Dolphins cheerleaders and show cars from Eddie Accardi. There will be Citizen Observer Patrol (COP), Explorers and CyberVisor recruitment and information available as well as crime prevention materials and free food and drinks.
Oakland Park
Activities start at 6:30 p.m. at Collins Center at 3900 N.E. 3 Ave. Those who attend will enjoy a bike rodeo, school supplies, hot dogs, snow cones, music and much more. Come get your bicycle registered and gather some crime safety tips as we all keep an eye on crime.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at El Prado Park at 4500 El Mar Dr. the following activities will be available: COP program recruitment and information, CyberVisor program recruitment and information, education material and presentations for identity and scam prevention, cyber crime and computer safety, prescription drug abuse and awareness and general crime prevention information. The following BSO assets are expected to be available as interactive displays: Marine patrol vessel, marked Dodge Challenger and SWAT rescue vehicle. Free food and soft drinks will be served.
North Lauderdale
Join North Lauderdale district personnel from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex at 701 S.W. 71 Ave. Law enforcement equipment will be on display as well as a bounce house for the children and free refreshments for all.
Cooper City
From 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. join Cooper City personnel at 10580 Stirling Rd. Evening events will include crime prevention, crime scene, Mounted Unit and a K-9 presentation. BSO representatives will be fingerprinting and testing the children on the 911 Simulator Interactive Phone. Residents will have the opportunity to tour fire rescue. Please contact BSO's Cooper City Crime Prevention Unit at (954) 441-8330 for further details.
Parkland
All activities will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Parkland Commons/Publix Shopping Center located at 8095 University Dr.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office will have events in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and on Stock Island. Free food and refreshments will be available.
Key Largo: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Key Largo Community Park, 99mm U.S. 1.
Islamorada: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Founder's Park.
Marathon: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Marathon Community Park. Free food and refreshments offered to residents will be able to meet members of the Sheriff's Office, Marathon Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard., U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and many others in the field of public safety. The Masonic Lodge Child ID trailer will be there, along with the Monroe County Bloodmobile.
Lower Keys: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Big Pine Key at Big Pine Community Park. This event will feature a special appearance by Farmer Jeanne Selander and a selection of animals from the Sheriff's Office Animal Farm. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Highway Patrol, Border Patrol, Monroe County Fire Rescue, Key West Fire Department, Key West Police, Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and many others will also be there.
