New Bern received the 2nd consecutive National Night Out (NNO) Award in January 2010 in recognition of the NNO Committee, Law Enforcement Agencies, Neighborhood Watch Groups, and community partnerships during the August 2009 event.
After attending last night’s NNO event, I’m confident to say that New Bern, NC, will be a strong competitor and I project that our City will receive our 3rd consecutive National Award for this year’s event!
The Master of Ceremonies, John Grant, of Beasley Broadcasting kicked off the event at Union Point Park by introducing Pastor Randy Field of Believers Fellowship Church who delivered the Invocation.
Mayor Lee Bettis took the stage with Van Cuthbertson. He welcomed community watch groups, NNO leaders, law enforcement, and the citizens of New Bern. Mayor Bettis recognized Van as exemplifying citizenry by creating last weekend’s All American Inclusive Family (AAMIFAM) Festival targeted to unite residents from all walks of life.
New Bern’s Chief of Police, Frank Palombo, thanked everybody for their hard work in making this NNO possible. He described the importance of police involvement and partnerships with community Watch Groups, local Law Enforcement Agencies, and the community at large. He specifically thanked Danielle Glynn, New Bern City Watch Coordinator, for her commitment to our City. He made a point by saying “When you turn the lights on, cockroaches run and hide. The criminals are the cockroaches and we need to leave the light on. Not just tonight, but every night and day”.
Next up were the New Bern Police Department District Commanders, Ryland Matthews – District 1 and Ronnie Lovick – District 2. They emphasized their mission is to work with citizens to prevent and/or eradicate crime from our neighborhoods. No matter where we live, we can help by reporting suspicious behavior, criminal activities happening, and lastly, reporting what we saw. They expressed appreciation to New Bern’s approximately 70 Neighborhood Watch Groups for their efforts in preventing criminal activities.
LT Lovick gave special thanks to NNO Co-Chairmen Jenna Leissner and Sandi Wheeler along with the NNO Committee, Neighborhood Watch Groups, local businesses and individuals for their hard work and monetary contributions to this event.
We learned that 90 at risk youth attended the City of New Bern’s Police Summer Camp monitored by City School Resource Officers.
Aldermen Sabrina Bengel, Denny Bucher, Johnnie Ray Kinsey, Dana Outlaw, and Victor Taylor were acknowledged for attending.
NC State Representative from the 3rd District, Alice Underhill, drove the point home that we as citizens need to be watchful, report suspicious activities and crimes. She also personally thanked the NNO Committee, Law Enforcement Agencies, and local citizens for taking a proactive approach.
Thurman Hardison, Director of New Bern Parks and Recreation, presented the new Park Watch Program, which parallels the Neighborhood Watch Program mission. He encouraged all citizens to report suspicious behavior, vandalism, crime, etc. to the New Bern Police Department to keep our parks safe and crime free.
There were numerous non-profit organizations and local businesses with booths and entertainment. Their stories will follow in the near future. For now, you can visit New Bern Now’s Photo Gallery to see those who participated in this wonderful and well organized event!
I look forward to writing about New Bern’s 3rd National Night Out Against Crime Prevention Award in January 2011!
I would like to personally thank Jenna Leissner, Sandi Wheeler, Danielle Glynn, NNO Committee Leaders and Members, Neighborhood Watch Groups, Businesses who supported this event, and all of those who attended to make this an event go down in history during New Bern’s 300th Anniversary!
Wendy Card
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