Police plan anti-crime party

Grovetown will join law enforcement agencies from all over the country in throwing a going away party for crime.

On Aug. 6, the Grovetown Public Safety Department with some help from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, will join the 19th Annual National Night Out.

Purpose of the event

Heighten crime prevention awareness

Generate support for local anticrime efforts

Strengthen neighborhood and police partnerships

Let criminals know residents are fighting back

The event was created to get residents out of their houses and spend an evening outside with neighbors and law enforcement officers, said Capt. Gary Owens.

"It's just a campaign to show some awareness and to say 'we aren't going to take this,"' Capt. Owens said. "We just want the citizens to know who is patrolling their neighborhoods."

From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. residents are being asked to lock the doors to their homes, turn all outside lights on and make their way to a block party and cookout being hosted by the department.

Capt. Owens said officers went door to door telling residents of the event and asking them to help keep Grovetown a safe city.

Capt. Owens said attendees willreceive pamphlets and be shown videos on how to prevent crime and said the sheriff's department was attempting to have D.A.R.E. officers on hand.

According to information from the National Association of Town Watch, the organization that sponsors the "National Night Out," 33 million people participated in the event in 2001, with agencies from all 50 states holding local events.