Community Invited To National Night Out Event

Community Invited To National Night Out Event

Date of Record: July 27, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2006

For more information, contact:
Andie Vidmar, Intern, Community and Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington,  349-3461
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN - It's time to Be Neighborly, and what better way to kick off August as Be Neighborly Bloomington Month than by attending the community's 23rd annual National Night Out.

Mayor Mark Kruzan will be featured as one of several guest speakers at the event, which will take place Tuesday, August 1, 2006, from 5 - 8:30 p.m. National Night Out is hosted by the Crestmont and Reverend Butler neighborhoods of the Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA).

National Night Out is celebrated across the nation and focuses on crime and drug prevention in local communities. This event is free and open to the public.

National Night Out is designed to:

• heighten awareness of crime- and drug-prevention;
• generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts;
• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting crime.

There will be prize giveaways as well as raffle drawings for both children and adults. Planned activities include bicycle decorating, free bike helmets for children participating in the bike parade, and a moon walk. Live musical performances and broadcasts will be provided by community radio station WFHB. Attendees also can enjoy free hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, popcorn and sno-cones.

Police officers and firefighters from the City of Bloomington Police and Fire departments will also be in attendance along with their emergency vehicles. The Bloomington Township Fire Department will bring its "Safe House," a simulation that invites children to experience an escape from a smoke-filled building.

In addition to fun-filled activities, free food and live music, a Health Fair will take place in conjunction with National Night Out.

The Fair will feature more than 20 booths with local health care providers offering free health screenings, information and referrals. Many services will be available to the public including: lead testing and prevention; tobacco prevention; asthma education; health risk assessments; cancer education and screenings; immunizations; car seat safety; blood pressure screenings; HIV prevention; breastfeeding education; vision screenings; dental screenings with fluoride treatments; sickle cell, syphilis and blood glucose screenings; nutrition/obesity education; and family planning education.

The event will conclude with a spirited flashlight and bicycle parade through the Crestmont neighborhood at 8:30 p.m.

National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by BHA, BHA Resident Council and made possible by a Small and Simple Grant from the City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.

For more information, contact Andie Vidmar at the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resource Department, 349-3461.

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