Crime & Safety
Heat Keeps People In On National Night Out
Tuesday night, police officers handed out free smoothies and talked to residents in the city in an effort to become closer to the community and increase crime prevention awareness.
On Tuesday night, Manchester City police officers helped residents cool down from the 100°F weather as they gave out free smoothies to residents as part of the annual National Night Out.
National Night Out is an event to encourage citizens to get know each other and their police force as well as increase awareness of crime prevention. Members of the visited different streets around the city, talking to residents, and handing out smoothies.
Mayor David Willson attended the ice cream social scheduled at the Manchester Police Department on Highlands Boulevard Drive. The event was moved indoors due to the heat. Willson said the event is a great opportunity to get residents to familiarize themselves with their neighbors. Unfortunately, he said, the weather kept many people inside their own homes Tuesday night.
“I think it’s kind of fun and a great cause,” Wilson said. “Although I think 100° is a little too hot, I think we ought to do this in October. You’d get much more participation.”
Despite the lower turnout this year, Manchester police officer Nicole Priest said it was a great chance to get to talk to residents and their concerns.
“I think it just gives citizens and police a chance to know each other and feel comfortable with us,” Priest said. “We want them to feel comfortable with us and get them to know us in a personal level so they don’t feel scared to call us if they need to.”
According to its website, last year, the National Night Out reached more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. Approximately 37 million people around the world participated in the event.