As the end of October approaches, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to continue recognizing National Night Out territory-wide with more activities and events, a recent press release from the Department of Justice announced.
Two events have already been held, which include an event at Buddhoe Park, St. Croix, on Oct. 7 and another at the Franklin Powell Bandstand on St. John on Oct. 13, according to the press release.
The following additional events are scheduled on St. Thomas:
- Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. – Community Prayer & Praise Day – Promenade by the Waterfront
- Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. – Emile Griffith Park to Emancipation Garden
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. It is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization, the press release stated.
In the Virgin Islands, the program is coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers and brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. The goal is to send a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe, the release stated.
To register as a provider at a local National Night Out event, please contact the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission: Jacqueline Freeman or Ana Creque at (340) 774-6500 ext. 210 or 209.
For more information, please visit https://natw.org/.
