FORT STEWART, Ga. - The City of Hinesville held their 3rd National Night Out event at Bradwell Park, downtown Hinesville, Aug. 1.
National Night Out is designed to raise awareness of crime and drug prevention, generate support for local anti-crime programs, and send a message to criminals that the community is banding together and fighting back.
Held the first week of August each year, NNO is in its 26th year and had over 35 million participants across the country last year.
"National night out is an annual event held the first Tuesday of each August," stated Officer John F. Williams, crime prevention officer for Hinesville Police Department and organizer of Hinesville's NNO.
"We have ours on the first Saturday due to our school system starting the first week of August. National Night Out is an event, which brings the community together, civilian and military, in one area."
Soldiers and Army Civilians from various offices and units on Fort Stewart also participated in the events. Fort Stewart police officers, Maryanne Dickerson and Sean Weaver represented the on-post D.A.R.E. program.
"I am impressed with Fort Stewart. "They always send maximum participation," said Officer Williams.
The 385th Military Police Battalion had one of their military working dog teams on hand for demonstrations and to show the cooperation between the civilian police department and the military police.
"I feel privileged to show that the military works with civilians," said Sgt. Jason Villafane, a military policemen and working dog handler with Headquarters Detachment, 385th MP Battalion. "I also like to demonstrate to the civilians the capabilities of the military working dogs such as the explosive aspects and the attack work that we implement in garrison and combat situations."
This year's NNO event was not graced by good weather as it has been in past years. Even with scattered showers, both supporters and participants still made their way to Bradwell Park to show their commitment to the event.
"What you see today is about half of what you usually see for National Night Out," Officer Williams explained. "All and all, by the ones you can see that still came out even though it is raining, you can see how they support each other and the civilian and military communities. Even with the bad weather, this is still a good turn out."
With tremendous support from the local civilian and military communities, Hinesville's 3rd annual National Night out was a successful event to bring together the community and strengthen the bonds between the police and the citizens.
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