Carson City Sheriff's Office hosts National Night Out on Aug. 2

By Lisa Davis
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and the National Association of Town Watch will co-sponsor the 28th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Mills Park.
The theme for this year is “101 Days of Crime Prevention and Safety” which was envisioned by Sheriff Ken Furlong to promote safety throughout the summer which continues well after National Night Out. Festivities run from 5 to to 8 p.m.

National Night Out is designed to:
— Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
— Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts;
— Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships
— Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts a special public safety event which represents the culmination of all of our efforts to fight crime, drugs and violence in our community and is the largest crime prevention event of the year.

“The most powerful community is an informed community," said Sheriff Ken Furlong. "We work to keep the community informed. We post information on our website – including statistics from the Uniform Crime Reporting not to cause alarm or fear but so that citizens can be aware of trends in crime and take appropriate measures to protect themselves …. An important point that we want to stress is if you see something that “just doesn’t look right” – call it in. Your call is never wasted it may deter or could help solve a crime.”

National Night Out helps citizens get informed on ways to protect themselves and prevent crime. Tips that we tell citizens daily include: increase lighting, be aware of solicitors, never allowing unexpected and uninvited strangers in your home, know where your children are and who they are with, etc. Increased lighting reduces the risk of crime, so citizens are invited to turn their porch lights on, lock their doors and spend the evening at Mills Park with law enforcement, public safety agencies and their neighbors.

Present will be representatives from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Nevada Army Guard 991st Aviation Brigade (helicopters), the United States Marines, United States Army. Other organizations who have agreed to join us include the Salvation Army, Partnership Carson City, Carson City Fire Dept., BLM, Dept. of Public Safety, U.S. Coast Guard, Boys and Girls Club, Mentor Center, Farmer’s Insurance M.I.L.K. Program, and the Miss Carson City Scholarship Program will be presenting safety and drug free platforms. There will be music, free hot dogs (while supplies last), hands-on activities, vehicle and equipment display, and fun.

Carson City has an incredible amount of community support with sponsorships coming from the Carson City Target Store, Smith’s Food and Drug, Grocery Out Let, Safeway, Economy Speed Press, Local’s BBQ, the Carson City Downtown Business Association, Northern Nevada Coin, Cal Neva Towing, Kemp’s Fun Jumpers’, Peddler’s Fare, Nevada Appeal and Carson Now.

“The community sponsors could very well be a story in itself,” said Undersheriff Steve Albertsen. "We are so fortunate and proud to have the support of our businesses. It’s amazing to see the efforts our businesses make become part of the team to fight crime — all of us working towards a safer Carson City. It’s pretty amazing.”

The size and magnitude of this event would not be possible without the incredible assistance from our businesses. Additional costs for National Night Out are paid for the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and through a direct allocation federal grant funded by the BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance.

“This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity," said National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin. "National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On August 2nd, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime and Drugs A Going Away Party.”

Carson City Sheriff’s Office has experienced a steady increase of agency and citizen participation and has earned national awards every year. In 2010, Carson City Sheriff’s Office was ranked 9th in the nation for “Outstanding Citizen Participation” and also received Congressional Certificates from former U.S. Representative Dean Heller and letters of commendation from former Senator John Ensign. National Night Out started in 1984 with 400 communities in 23 states, and 2.5 million Americans participating. National Night Out in 2010 involved 36 million people in over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.

“National Night Out is the single largest crime prevention event held in Carson City," Albertsen said. "Every year we see an increase in sponsorship and participation from agencies and citizens. We encourage everyone to come out and join us on August 2 - and turn your porch light on.”

For more information please contact Lisa Davis at Carson City Sheriff’s Office – (775) 887-2500 ext. 7809.