Editorials

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   HAVE YOUR SAY Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor. You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 300 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another. Send it to: E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com Mail: Letters section The Herald P.O. Box 930 Everett, WA 98206 Fax: 425-339-3458 Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).   Published: Thursday, July 3, 2008 Together, neighbors can put dent in crime Call it a tragedy of the 21st century, but neighbors just don't seem to hang out much. National Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 5 is a chance to break that mold. Local government, police and fire officials organize tons of events in the name of neighborly goodwill -- a seemingly touchy-feely idea that boils down to the basics of crime prevention. Neighbors who know each other's names don't have to see men carrying out furniture in ski masks to know when something's wrong next door. Night Out events vary from town to town (contact your local police department for specifics), but most focus on a central celebration or a spattering of neighborhood block parties. If you can't make a central event, consider registering a block party, which can be as simple as a barbecue, ice cream social or potluck. Lynnwood Police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions especially recommends potlucks for culturally diverse neighborhoods. Make sure to leave your doors locked and outdoor lights on as part of sending the anti-crime message. In smaller cities like Lake Stevens and Mountlake Terrace, one big event makes it easy to connect residents with those who serve them. A relaxed family atmosphere and free food encourage neighborly chit chat. Where else can you munch a hot dog while asking a police officer about your neighborhood? Night Out is about making it easy to reach out to neighbors, said Aaron Snell, Everett crime prevention officer. The night of block parties encourages neighbors to consider creating Block Watch programs, which are proven to deter crime. No one wants to seem nosy or encourage the creepsters down the block, but that's what makes Night Out so important -- it's an opportunity (and if needed, an excuse) to find out who lives nearby and what their lives are like. Taking that lead can make a big difference during natural disasters, electrical outages or in the case of neighbors who are seniors or disabled. Crime prevention isn't just the duty of law enforcement. Too often, crime happens because neighbors notice something awry, but are unsure about whether to report it. Night Out gives neighbors real ways to connect -- reminding us that neighborly goodwill is about more than just calling 911 when something bad happens. If you don't have a neighborhood crime prevention program in place, National Night Out Against Crime is the place to get started.

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