By Trustee Susan Moylan Krey

This year's National Night Out Against Crime, held August 3 in Dee Park, was bigger and better than ever with the largest crowd in township history of more than 800 people!

Almost one hundred local children submitted posters that featured the theme "Hugs Not Drugs" in the poster contest. Winners were Kennedy Cummings, (4th grade), Krupp Patel (10th grade), Maya Torres (2nd grade), Michelle Pollock (2nd grade) Ayesha Prajapati (4th grade), Alison Schreyer-Miller (5th grade, and the sister team of Jenny Varghese (7th grade), and her sister Irene Varghese (3rd grade).

One of the favorites of 20 booths hosted by various civic organizations was the 911 interactive table. Deputy Commander Tony Brzezniak, who gathered donations and raffle prizes from all over the country, wins the award for the hardest working, most dedicated police officer this year. A big thank you goes out to the many local businesses that donated wonderful raffle prizes.

Four years ago, my involvement in the Neighborhood Watch group became a natural fit for me to volunteer to chair the National Night Out Against Crime Committee. I am proud to say in the past four years, our attendance and volunteer numbers have boomed.

The program emceed by Paula Kurland, featured Gang Specialist, Detective Greg Jacobsen who shared very helpful strategies for parents to help their children stay away from gang involvement. Another very popular highlight was the Sheriff's Canine Unit demonstration as well as the helicopter fly-over from the Sheriff's office. The State of the Art Dance group made their debut at this year's event. The evening was capped by the annual flashlight walk through the neighborhood to shine a "light on crime."

A shout out of hearty thanks goes to Golf Maine Park District, the North Maine Fire Department, Maryville Academy, Maine East High School, as well as our own award-winning Office of Emergency Management (OEM) department. An extra thanks to everyone who made this event a wonderful evening.