Dorchester Banner/Susan M. Bautz
Last year’s National Night Out in Secretary meant fellowship, food, and a chance to connect with law enforcement representatives and volunteer firefighters.
[/caption] SECRERTARY — Secretary Mayor Susan Dukes announced the town’s annual participation in National Night Out is slated for Aug. 2 at 6pm. A brief commission meeting will be held at 5 pm rather than 7 pm so commissioners can prepare for the event. The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) launched the annual National Night Out campaign in 1984. NATW says “Once upon a time, we kept our porch lights on. We opened the door even if we didn’t know who rang the bell. And we could always leave the back door unlocked during the day.” Times have changed. The nonprofit crime prevention organization fights back against crime in communities nationwide with a “network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and concerned citizens.” National Night Out began as an annual community-building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and better places to live. The first events were largely lights-on vigils. Now the town participates in the evening to inform the public about various police and safety organizations in a community. Secretary and its elected officials support the project wholeheartedly with its focus on bringing neighbors together with a block party, cookout, and other events. On Aug. 2 Secretary residents are invited to a town picnic in Veterans’ Memorial Park with hamburgers, hot dogs, and karaoke. Representatives from various law enforcement and fire prevention groups will be available to answer questions and offer more information. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement as it offers a sense of community and an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. And the food’s good, too!