National Night Out – August 7, 2007
Fruitport Township to Join Cities Nationwide for

“AMERICA’S NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME”

On Tuesday, August 7th, neighborhoods throughout Fruitport Township were invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “24th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by Fruitport Township Police Department, involved over 11,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 35 million people participated in “America’s Night Out Against Crime” on August 7th. NNO 2007 is supported in part by the Target Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on August 7th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Fruitport Township and across the nation were asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

This was a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation.

On August 7th, we invited neighborhoods throughout Fruitport Township to join us in “Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party.” Fruitport Township Police Department hosted a National Night Out event at Great Lakes Downs 4800 Harvey. On August 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. we were joined by many people from Fruitport Township to enjoy all the activities that had been planned. Fruitport police officers were there to greet residents, free child ID kits were handed out, autograph signing by the Muskegon Thunder football players, the Muskegon Fury mascot Furious Fred was on hand, Puzzle the Clown, face painting by Jennifer, free ice cream sundaes compliments of Marble Slab Creamery, free give-a-ways by National sponsor Target Corporation as well as inflatable’s from Local Hero including a 50 ft caterpillar for the children to play in.

We would like to thank all the following sponsors who made this event possible: Target Corporation; Great Lakes Downs; Fruitport Lions Club; Muskegon Fury Hockey; Muskegon Thunder Arena Football; and Marble Slab Creamery.