National Night Out plans
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 14, 2015 1:50 AM
Planning is under way for the 32nd annual National Night Out, which is scheduled to be held at Herman Park on Aug. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m.
National Night Out is a nationwide event held each year in cities and towns across America to bring communities together with local law enforcement agencies for a night free of drugs and crime.
This year's National Night Out theme is, "Give Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party."
"This is a time when we can have more interaction with our community and its citizens. We can sit down with them and talk," said Cpl. Marissa Davis of the Goldsboro Police Department, one of the organizers of the event.
Ms. Davis, along with Cpl. Ron McDuffie of the police department's Crime Prevention Office, spearhead the Night Out each year.
"This is a time when the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the Goldsboro Housing Authority and the Goldsboro Police Department all come together," Ms. Davis said.
In addition to law enforcement and the N.C. Department of Probation and Parole, the Goldsboro Fire Department, the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross and Wayne Community College also attend each year.
The event will include live music, displays, games for children and free refreshments.
Preparations are still in the preliminary stages, but any local businesses, civic organizations or churches wishing to attend and set up vendor booths with giveaways geared toward families and children are welcome to attend.
"There are a lot of people showing interest this year, well, every year," Ms. Davis said.
"People set their schedules to it," she added.
A speaker has yet to be selected for this year's event.
Anyone wishing to support this year's National Night out either as a vendor, a volunteer or as a sponsor, is asked to contact Ms. Davis at 919-580-4238, or McDuffie at 919-580-4265. The deadline for entries is July 24.