National Night Out parties are planned

Rebecca Malone

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 | 10:14 a.m.

More information For information on tonight's events, call Nicole Hugins in North Las Vegas as 633-1810, Metro Police Sgt. Christopher Darcy at 229-3394 or the city of Henderson at 565-8933.

Residents of the Las Vegas Valley are invited to attend any of six parties tonight that were arranged for people to better get to know their neighbors as well as meet police officers who patrol near their homes.

The parties are the valley's way of participating in the 18th annual National Night Out.

"This allows people to meet officers who work in the substations and ask questions in a nonstressful atmosphere," Metro Police Sgt. Christopher Darcy said. "It also gives the officers a chance to talk about what is going on in the department."

National Night Out was created by the National Association of Town Watch to increase crime and drug prevention awareness. It is celebrated annually by more than 9,000 communities across the nation on the first Tuesday in August.

Metro will be hosting four of the six parties from 7 to 9 p.m. at Freedom Park, West Flamingo Park, Cambridge Community Center and the Northwest Area Command substation.

Police officers will be the barbecue hosts and will be available to talk with all who attend. There will also be safety demonstrations, displays of emergency equipment and other activities and games.

The parties allow people to meet their neighbors in a friendly and fun environment, Darcy said. Once people know who their neighbors are, they are more likely to help them out if a situation occurs involving suspicious or unusual behavior around their homes, he said.

"It is a night that lets people join together with their police to let others know that they will not tolerate crime in their neighborhoods," Nicole Hugins of the North Las Vegas Police Department said. "It also lets kids and parents see police officers in a positive light."

The North Las Vegas Police Department will be holding its event at Goynes Park from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be 30 agencies displaying services and equipment and the city Parks and Recreation Department will offer a pie-eating contest, water balloon toss, sack race and other games. Groups such as Go For It-USA, Austin Dance Co. and Sign and Design Theatre will be performing throughout the event.

"We encourage the community to come out for a night of free information, food, children's activities, entertainment and fun," said Charlotte Salyer, North Las Vegas Crime Prevention Manager.

The Henderson Police Department is also having an event tonight at Black Mountain Aquatics Center.