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Good Turnout for Hazelwood’s 2011 ‘Celebrate Safe Communities’ Initiative Block Parties
A firefighter/paramedic gave out candy and stickers at Joe Bower’s block party on Hazel Valley Dr.
Hundreds of Hazelwood residents came out in force to attend more than 15 block parties held in observance of this year’s “Celebrate Safe Communities” initiative on Sept. 27.
These events were designed to give residents a chance to meet their neighbors, share summer vacation experiences and to discuss ways to keep their neighborhoods safe from crime. Police officers who patrol their areas made stops to introduce themselves and to participate in these discussions.
Officer Mike Monticelli introduces his K-9 partner, Onyxx, to Phyllis Duehren and her neighbors.
For the past three years, Hazelwood Police Department has partnered with the Neighborhood Watch Commission, Hazelwood Fire Department, and the Fire Districts of Florissant Valley and Robertson to host this “Celebrate Safe Communities” initiative. It’s held on the last Tuesday in the month of September. Many believe this is crime prevention done the right way – allowing local people to work with local law enforcement to address local crime fighting issues. The involvement of local firefighter/paramedics helps to remind residents about fire safety.
Griffin Brixey, age 2, sits in a fire truck pretending he is going to put out a fire.
Through collaborative efforts involving residents, business owners, school administrators, and city officials on a year-round basis, the police department can do a better job keeping the criminal element out of Hazelwood. This process also helps build pride among the citizenry that Hazelwood is a great place to live, work, and play.
“The vitality of Hazelwood is inherent upon our efforts to keep homes, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses safe,” said Hazelwood Chief of Police Carl Wolf. “Our success in reducing the crime rate is dependent on the year-round cooperation we get from residents who keep our police officers informed of any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. One best way for residents to meet the police officers that patrol their ward and to feel more comfortable communicating with them is to set up these ‘Celebrate Safe Communities’ block parties.”
“Celebrate Safe Communities” began in 2008 as a Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded initiative of the National Crime Prevention Council in partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association. Its purpose is to help kick-off Crime Prevention Month in October.
Although similar to “National Night Out,” Hazelwood residents like observing this event more because it occurs during the cooler part of the year when everyone is back into a normal routine after summer break.
In 2011, “Celebrate Safe Communities’ is promoting these four themes for Crime Prevention Month: crime reporting; community engagement; school and campus safety; and drug abuse prevention.
All resources will be targeted to help communities like Hazelwood address local crime trends and needs that were identified in a 2010 National Crime Prevention Council field evaluation.
