COLUMBUS – Relations between police and the communities they patrol will be the focus of some National Night Out events as central Ohio observes the annual crime prevention program Tuesday.
Over 150 community events are planned throughout the Columbus area including live music, porch light vigils, and cookouts, Columbus police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said.
Residents of the south central Hilltop on the West Side are encouraged to “Wear Blue” in support of community-police partnerships during that area’s 11th annual National Night Out Neighborhood Festival in the 700 block of S. Ogden Avenue, between Whitehead Road and W. Mound Street from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
“While other communities are just starting to build trust with the police, our residents have been partners with them for many years,” says Lisa Boggs, founder of the South Central Hilltop Block Watch.
Police-community relations have become a concern in the wake of fatal shooting incidents involving officers and unarmed citizens, mostly African-American men, in Ohio and other states. A panel is studying improvements to law enforcement recruitment, training and procedures in the state.
Citizens, Columbus police officers, Mayor Michael Coleman and business and political leaders will take part in the Hilltop event, which begins with a performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” from the Singing Buckeyes and the presentation of colors.
Other events planned for Tuesday night include those sponsored by Franklin County Sheriff Zach’s office at the park in Hamilton Township and at the Prairie Township Community Center on W. Broad Street.
Hilliard residents can come to the Darby Glen and Beacon subdivisions to meet officers and firefighters and learn crime prevention techniques. There will be a dunk tank, bounce house, police and fire vehicles, and food.
The Grove City Division of Police is encouraging residents and businesses in the city and Jackson Township to promote safety awareness in their neighborhoods from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Here is a link to a list of Westerville neighborhoods taking part.
The National Night Out program began in 1984 as a way to improve crime prevention awareness and participation in local anti-crime programs and to strengthen police-community partnerships.