July 31, 2023 – The City of Decatur, in partnership with the Coalition of Neighborhood Organization, hosted its 40th annual National Night Out event in Hess Park Tuesday, complete with family activities, food, and music.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign designed to build neighborhood solidarity and promote strong police-community partnerships. In all, 38 million people were expected to attend National Night Out events hosted by 17,000 local city governments across the country.
Councilman Dennis Cooper encouraged the crowd to participate, communicate and get to know one another, including the police. ” It takes a village to raise a community and we want to improve Decatur, stop the crime, stop the killing. If you see something, say something.”
Councilman Ed Culp, a former law enforcement officer himself, encouraged the crowd to get to know the officers attending the event, including Decatur Police, Macon County Sheriff, and Decatur Park Police. “Go up and introduce yourself and tell them what your concerns are. This is the night where we get together and talk about what we can do to make out neighborhoods safer.”
The event featured food trucks, kids’ games with prizes, face painting, bounce houses, a mobile zoo, music by DJ TAT, and a number of booths featuring organizations such as DPS61, the Macon County Health Department, Crossing, Empowerment Opportunities Corp, and more.
The event also celebrated two members of CONO who passed in 2022, but left a legacy of advocacy for their community and their neighborhoods. Those honored were Francie Johnson and Helen Jeanne Mears. Johnson was a member of Fansfield Neighborhood Association, served on the Executive Committee of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO), and served on the City of Decatur’s Human Relations Commission. Mears was described as a volunteer that worked hard to make her city a better place to live, work and play. A strong advocate for her organized neighborhood Park City, she helped with the monthly newsletter and organized fundraisers each year. She also picked up donations from local food pantries to help needy families in her area, often donating numerous items herself. Mears served on the Decatur Area Project Board and the National Night Out Steering Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations.
Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel said building positive relationships and partnerships with community members allows the police to work better to address issues facing the community. “We can’t prevent every crime from happening, whether it’s a theft or murder. But what we can do as a community is identify those areas that need some attention” Brandel said. Maybe it’s a group of kids that needs some help and mentorship. Positive relationships with law enforcement can help them to a better path.”
To see pictures from the event, go to the NowDecatur Facebook Page.
