Neighbors will have their ‘Night Out’

Event will focus on strengthening communities

The program, celebrated worldwide, is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The Aspen Hill community has joined the past few years to celebrate the event at North Gate Park.

Susan Johnson, co-chair of the Collaborative Supervision and Focused Enforcement (CSAFE) Mid-County Neighborhood Initiative Workgroup for the Bel Pre Road⁄Hewitt Avenue Corridor, said this is the fourth year that the community festival will be held.

‘‘We try to bring out as many community members as possible to enjoy the festival, but to also come out and learn something,” she said.

Sam Galvez, Radio America’s news director at WACA 1540 AM-La Voz Latina, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, Johnson said. The event will also feature step dancers, a karate group, music and demonstrations on how to avoid being a victim of crime, such as automobile theft.

‘‘This is the night in the year to come out and take a stand against crime with your neighbors,” she said.

Nearly every year, more than 50 Rockville city neighborhoods organize block parties where residents can enjoy their community, speak with police officers and local officials, and take advantage of free giveaways and information.

And this year comes close to that mark.

‘‘We have a lot of exciting events happening in Rockville this year,” said Rockville City Police Department Community Services Officer Kenneth Davis, who is coordinating National Night Out for the first time.

Two communities just outside city limits, Manor Lake and Rock Creek Terrace, also will celebrate National Night Out with encouragement from the Montgomery County Police Department.

The block parties and events, Davis said, help neighbors and residents get to know the people in their communities.

‘‘I think it’s very important for the communities and neighborhoods to be out and see and meet one another,” he said.

An active community, Davis added, can help to deter crime.

Kate Savage, a member of the Woodley Gardens West Civic Association who is helping coordinate the event for the organization, said she is looking forward to National Night Out.

‘‘We are going to be having events in four different courts in our community,” she said.

Woodley Gardens West Civic Association has sponsored National Night Out events in the past, which have been known to draw many participants, Savage said.

‘‘It’s about bringing the community together in a fun and safe environment,” she said, adding that there would be plenty of food as well as activities for children.

‘‘I love these kinds of events,” Savage said. ‘‘I like events that bring people together.”

Richard Gottfried said the Twinbrook Citizens Association would be holding its National Night Out event at Broome Middle School.

‘‘We’re going to offer softball, basketball, tennis and volleyball,” he said, adding that participants are encouraged to take their own food and drinks.

Gottfried, outreach chair for the Twinbrook Citizens Association, added that the event would serve as a good way to bring the community together, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to learn more about the civic group.

‘‘It’s also about having a fun night out with your neighbors,” he said.

Rockville City Police Chief Terrance N. Treschuk, city police officers, Mayor Larry Giammo, members of the Rockville City Council and other city staff will visit block parties throughout Rockville, answering questions and emphasizing organized neighborhoods and crime prevention.

Fighting crime

Aspen Hill and Rockville will celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 7 at the following locations:

Aspen Hill

Fourth Annual National Night Out Against Crime Community Festival at North Gate Park, 14100 Connecticut Ave.,5 to 8 p.m.

Rockville

Bealls Grant Apartments on North Washington Street, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Calvin Park, 1248 Gladstone Drive,6 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors on Anderson Avenue, 7 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors on Lewis Avenue, 6 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors on Lynch Street, 6:15 to 9 p.m.

King Farm Citizens Assembly and King Farm Neighborhood Watch in front of the community center, 7 to 9 p.m.

Falls Ridge neighbors on Willowleaf Way,6 to 8:45 p.m.

Neighbors at 500 block of Anderson Avenue,6 to 10 p.m.

West Lynfield Citizens Association on West Lynfield Drive,6 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors on Carr Avenue, 7 to 11 p.m.

Ritchie Parkway and Vashi Lane neighbors,6 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors in the 500 block of Beall Avenue,6 to 9 p.m.

Rocklin Park Apartments on Lenmore Avenue,7 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors in the 1600 block of Marshall Avenue, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Neighbors along Charles Street, 6 to 10 p.m.

Americana Centre Condominiums in the Americana courtyard and plaza deck, 6 to 10 p.m.

Fallsmead neighbors on Bettstrail Way,6 to 8:30 p.m.

Rockshire neighbors at Surry Court,6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Fallsmead Neighborhood Association at Bettstrail Way, 6 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors on Denham Road, 6 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors on Grandin Avenue, 7 to 9 p.m.

Woodley Gardens West Civic Association at Stevens Court, Lee Court, Winder Court and Grason Court, 6 to 10 p.m.

Wootton Mills at Vinson Street, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors in the 100 block of Upton Street, 6 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors from Calvin Court to Calvin Lane, 7 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors at Elmwood Terrace and Greenplace Terrace, 5 to 8 p.m.

College Gardens Civic Association at College Gardens pond and park,6 to 9 p.m.

Twinbrook Forest neighbors on MacDowell Street,7 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors in the 1100 block of Clagett Drive, 6 to 8 p.m.

Neighbors on the corner of Marcia Court and Marcia Lane, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Heritage Park Cooperative at 95 Dawson Ave., 6 to 10 p.m.

Redgate Farms Community Association at Redgate Farms Court, 6 to 9 p.m.

Twinbrook Forest neighbors on Broadwood Drive,6 to 10 p.m.

East Rockville Civic Association at Mary Trumbo Park and Grandin Avenue at North Horners Lane,6 to 10 p.m.

Twinbrook Citizens Association at Broome Middle School, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, 6 to 9 p.m.

Coral Sea neighbors at Coral Sea Drive, 7 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors at Larkspur Terrace, 6 to 9 p.m.

Neighbors at Dale, Laura and Evans drives in Monument Park and Picnic Shelter, 550 Maryland Ave., 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Maple Avenue neighbors at the entrance of Silver Rock Park, Clagett Drive and Maple Avenue, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Neighbors at the corner of Cedar Lane and McAuliffe Drive, 6 to 10 p.m.

Rockville Housing Authority at David Scull Park, 81133 First St., 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Rock Creek Terrace Apartments, 12630 Veirs Mill Road, 7 to 9 p.m.

Manor Lake community at North Lake Center, 15101 Bauer Drive, 7 to 9 p.m.

Rock Creek Terrace community at 12630 Veirs Mill Road., 7 to 9 p.m.