Neighbors fight crime

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      Cooking out, strolling through the neighborhood or turning on a porch light might not qualify as crime-fighting excitement on a TV cop show, but those everyday occurrences can have a very real effect on deterring criminal activity.
      That's the message shared by proponents of "Take Back the Night," which served as the Henderson Police Department's effort in this year's National Night Out crime awareness program Aug. 1.
      Although a recent audit said Henderson's crime totals are low for a city its size, officer David Wilson of the community policing division said people in today's society have developed a "keep to yourself" mentality, which can inadvertently make things easier for criminals.
      "(People) no longer sit on their front porch and get to know their neighbors," Wilson said. "We spend most of our time in our kitchens and bedrooms. ... It's not uncommon for people to live in a house for five years and never get to know their neighbors."
      That kind of apathy is what Wilson and others involved with National Night Out hope to correct. By going outside their homes, forming relationships with neighbors and looking out for one another's property, Wilson said everyday citizens can have an impact on the safety of their communities.
      "The idea of coming out tonight is to get to know our neighbors," Wilson said. "If you can do that, you can make a big difference."
      Other safety advocates and law enforcement representatives seem to agree, which is why the National Night Out program was organized in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch. Its activities are intended to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, strengthen a neighborhood's ties to its police force and most importantly, send a message to criminals that neighbors are organized and fighting back.
      This marked the 12th year Henderson has participated in the National Night Out activities, which take place the first Tuesday in August.
      On the national level, organizers expected this year's event to be the largest ever. While totals for 2000 were unavailable at press time, an estimated 32 million people in 9,500 communities across the United States, Canada and military bases worldwide took part in National Night Out events in 1999, including 3,000 Henderson residents.
      National Night Out activities can range from the elaborate -- such as block parties, visits from police officers and parades -- to simple acts like turning on an outside light or spending a few hours visiting on the front porch.
      In Henderson, the Black Mountain Aquatics Complex served as an unofficial headquarters for this year's event. Carolyn Andersen, a recreation coordinator in charge of special events for the co-sponsoring Henderson Parks and Recreation Department, helped organize the activities at the complex. She said having a large party is a result of National Night Out's evolution in the community.
      "Last year (the Parks and Recreation Department) became more heavily involved," Andersen said. "National Night Out started out by getting together with your neighbors, but this has sort of developed into an event for people to celebrate at."
      Residents were admitted free to the popular outdoor pool, where they enjoyed music, swimming, refreshments and games -- as well as the company of approximately 15 police officers and Henderson Police Chief Mike Mayberry.
      "When people feel free and comfortable around us, they start to develop more trust in the police department," Wilson said in explaining the officers' presence at the event.