Grafton Joins National Night Out on August 6

Residents throughout Grafton are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 30th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.  National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Grafton Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states and U.S. territories.  In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

National Night Out is designed to:  (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;  (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime 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.

National Night Out is an extraordinary way to build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships.  Neighbors meet neighbors – and citizens and local law enforcement have the opportunity to enhance their relationships. 

On Tuesday, August 6th, the Grafton Police Department, will be hosting its eighth annual “National Night Out Block Party.”  The event will be held adjacent to the Grafton Police Station from 5:00-8:00 p.m. 

There will be free amusements including a “moon walk” and soft obstacle course, games and prizes for children and adults as well as literature on crime prevention, drug awareness, fraud, personal safety, health, child passenger safety and fire prevention.  Citizens will also have the opportunity to speak with police and other Town officials about problems or concerns in their neighborhood. 

Free gun locks and children’s bicycle helmets provided by Direnzo Towing and Recovery, will be distributed.  The Masons will be offering their MYCHIP child ID program on the second floor of the police station.  The Lions Club Sightmobile will be conducting vision and hearing screening as well as glucose and blood pressure monitoring. 

There will be a display of police cruisers, motorcycles, seized drug paraphernalia and fire department vehicles.  Police station tours will also be conducted.  State and federal law enforcement agencies will also be participating.  FREE pizza, hot dogs, pies and other refreshments, while they last, will also be available.

Other event sponsors include; Target, Grafton Suburban Credit Union, Dunkin Donuts,  Pepperoni Express, Grafton Job Corps, E.L. Harvey & Sons, Table Talk Pies, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Grafton Council on Aging, Grafton Board of Health and Together We Can.

The Grafton Police Department invites all residents of Grafton to join forces with them at the “National Night Out Block Party” to give crime and drugs a going away party.  If you would like more information on National Night Out or the National Association of Town Watch, please go to www.nationalnightout.org.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police