By Kathy Steffan
The New Orleans Times-Picayune
ST. TAMMANY, La. — Neighborhoods across western St. Tammany will be bustling with activity on Tuesday as residents participate in the 24th annual National Night Out Against Crime.
Community members will gather in neighborhoods and subdivisions for old-fashioned block parties while others are planning to attend events planned by the Mandeville and Covington police departments.
Officer Beverly Watson of the Mandeville Police Department is excited about this year’s event planned at the Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center. Watson said she is expecting as many as 250 people at the trailhead at 675 Lafitte St. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and end at about 9 p.m.
This year’s event will focus on police and community in partnership.
“We want to bring the community together in an informal atmosphere with the goal of deterring crime,” Watson said. “We will be encouraging neighbors to start Neighborhood Watches.”
Police officers will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance for individuals interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group, Watson said.
Although Watson believes the level of crime in the Mandeville area has not changed significantly in recent years, she said it remains important for the community to continue to work together in order to fight crime.
“We encourage community members to get to know one another and to look out for each other,” she said.
Volunteers also will distribute brochures and materials on elder abuse and offer suggestions on how to avoid telephone scams, Watson said.
The event will feature live music, free food from local restaurants and numerous activities for children, including the Trailhead water fountains and inflatables for jumping. Mandeville police officers will grill hot dogs and hamburgers as well.
The Trailhead event is free. Businesses and civic organizations are welcome to set up a table and participate, Watson said.
In Covington, two events will be hosted for residents to enjoy. One will be held at the Greater Covington Center on 317 N. Jefferson and the other in the River Forest subdivision at 20 Willow Drive.
Both events are being sponsored by the Covington Police and Fire Departments, the American Red Cross, the River Forest Neighborhood Watch group and the West 20’s Neighborhood Watch group. Food and nonalcoholic beverages will be served at each event.
In addition to food and drink, the Covington Center will feature music by Countdown Sound, pony rides by Party Ponies, a children’s tent and door prizes.
Lt.t Jack West of the Covington Police Department said both events will allow the citizens of Covington to show their support for their police and fire departments.
The Covington Fire Department will man an educational trailer for children to enjoy, West said. The trailer houses a fire truck robot that demonstrates various fire safety techniques. Both of these events are free and open to the public.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will show its support for the important community event by helping residents organize their Night Out Against Crime events.
Sheriff Jack Strain is encouraging neighborhoods throughout the parish to sponsor a gathering.
“Whether you choose to have a simple house party or a more elaborate function with food and music, we would like to be a part of it,” he said.
Strain said National Night Out Against Crime events provide an excellent opportunity for neighbors to get together for an evening of fellowship while sending a message to criminals that they are not welcome in local communities.
Residents interested in hosting a gathering should contact Lt. Bob Cardinale at 867-5173.
For more information on National Night Out Against Crime, go online to www.nationaltownwatch.org.
Copyright 2007 New Orleans Times-Picayune