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The city of Hazelwood is urging residents to get involved and participate in this year’s “Celebrate Safe Communities,” day on Tuesday, September 25.

Hosting a block party or special event and gathering with neighbors for an outdoor barbecue are among options for residents to consider. Those who would like to host an event should contact Karen Cira at 513-5201 by noon on Friday, September 21.

For the past four years, Hazelwood Police Department has partnered with the Neighborhood Watch Commission, Hazelwood Fire Department, and the Fire Protection Districts of Florissant Valley and Robertson for this crime prevention observance.  Hazelwood joins hundreds of cities nationwide in hosting this event, which is held yearly on the last Tuesday in the month of September.

The national sponsors of “Celebrate Safe Communities” are the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U. S. Department of Justice.  In partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association, this program was launched in 2008 to help promote crime prevention in local communities across the country.

Themes selected for this year’s observance include community engagement, neighborhood and home safety, personal safety, and cyber safety.

According to the NCPC, local police departments with strong community relationships tend to be more effective in reducing crime.  “It takes a cooperative effort between residents, business owners, school administrators, and city officials to keep the criminal element out of our community,” said Hazelwood Acting Police Chief Gregg Hall.  “By working together, we learn to trust each other and build a sense of pride in knowing we’re doing our part to make Hazelwood a better place to live, work, and play.”

One of the innovative programs the HPD is known for in fighting crime is that of neighbor policing. ”We rely on the cooperation we get from residents who tell us about suspicious activities in their neighborhood.

Having residents meet our officers at ‘Celebrate Safe Communities’ block parties is a good way of fostering this bond of trust and cooperation in order to keep our streets safe,” Acting Chief Hall added.