Northeast Ohio Holds Annual National Night Out
CLEVELAND — All over northeast Ohio Tuesday, police and fire departments reached out to communities in an effort to fight crime in a national night designed to make neighborhoods safer.
Cleveland Police Officer Alice Wegrocki has been on the job 35 years and has been a part of “National Night Out” for the past 3 years. She says each year the crowds get bigger and better and helps bridge the gap between police and people in the neighborhood.
“It’s to get to know law enforcement so they are not afraid, they’ll turn things in that they see in their neighborhoods,” says Officer Wegrocki.
This year’s theme for the 24th annual “National Night Out” event in the Cleveland area is “Lights on Means Light’s Out for Crime.” The event will feature police and other public safety vehicles, health screenings and refreshments and activities for the entire family.
“I think it’s a pretty good thing, I mean people getting familiar with the officers in the neighborhood, people coming to unite. I think it’s a good thing hopefully we have good weather for it,” says Ras Dryden of Cleveland.
Jimmy Pisano agrees.
“Keep the crime off the streets you know. Build relationships with the community, keep the kids of the streets give them something to do, get them away from this there’s too much crime.”
“National Night Out” will be in five locations all around the Cleveland area. For the location nearest you, click here.
