Law enforcement officials, rescue authorities and concerned residents in Fargo-Moorhead joined forces Tuesday by celebrating National Night Out to raise crime prevention awareness.
A National Night Out party in West Fargo drew hundreds to Elmwood Park, where various agencies provided displays and pamphlets that educated residents about services they offer.
West Fargo Police Chief Arland Rasmussen told residents to explore the booths set up by local agencies. "Maybe there's an organization or two that you'd like to belong to."
National Night Out is a countrywide effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. The celebration also raises awareness of local anti-crime programs.
Officials from local law enforcement agencies, Adopt-A-Pet, the North Dakota Army National Guard and the Cass County State's Attorney's Office greeted celebration attendees.
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Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick said the National Night Out celebration serves as a casual way to answer any law-related inquiries.
The Cass County state's attorney's booth displayed before and after photos of people who use drugs such as methamphetamines. Brochures on drug use also sat on the booth table.
"We had a great increase in drug cases in recent years," Burdick said.
He said increases in drug cases and personnel handling those cases have helped educate people about drug dangers.
"It's easy to connect with people on those issues," he said, adding that people everywhere are affected because most know someone who's been involved with drugs.
Kendel Frost, a fire inspector for the West Fargo Fire Department, helped guide children through a miniature house from the front door to its window. The house - borrowed from the Fargo Fire Department - is designed to teach people how to crawl toward windows to escape in case of fire, he said.
There were at least 80 smaller block parties in Moorhead and more than 20 in Fargo Tuesday that also celebrated National Night Out.
Cory Bennett, a Moorhead resident who helped arrange a block party at Bennett Park, said the celebration gives residents a chance to get to know the parents of neighborhood children. They also send messages out to those wanting to commit crimes, she said.
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"We don't tolerate that," Bennett said of crime. If you choose to commit crimes like drug use, "we will report you. That's just not good."
At least 9,000 communities nationwide take part in National Night Out events similar to those in Fargo-Moorhead, according to the National Night Out Web site.
The movement was started by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit crime prevention organization that works with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies.
'Night Out' facts
- Started in 1984.
- It's the "brainchild" of Matt A. Peskin, executive director of The National Association of Town Watch
- 23rd Annual National Night Out last August involved 35.2 million people in 11,125 communities from all 50 states.
Source: www.nationaltownwatch.org
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Benny Polacca at (701) 241-5504
