Event puts focus on stopping drugs, crime

Grovetown residents can learn a little more about those who protect and serve them at the city's annual National Night Out event on Tuesday.

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Personnel from the Grovetown Department of Public Safety will hold a free cookout from 6-9 p.m. at the headquarters station at 306 E. Robinson Ave.

"We're just trying to encourage the community to come out and check out the police station and the fire station," Capt. Gary Owens said. "What we're trying to do is try to heighten a little drug and crime prevention awareness."

The national event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is aimed at crime awareness and prevention through information, networking and by promoting neighborhood spirit and community-police partnerships.

"We try to strengthen the spirit that comes between police department and the neighborhoods," Owens said.

Those who attend can get information on how they can better protect themselves and their communities.

Owens said the event will feature information about the city's public safety programs and services, including Project Safe House, neighborhood watch program and other anti-crime initiatives.

Other area law enforcement, businesses and community groups also will be at the event to share information about their products and services, including Gold Cross Emergency Medical Service, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Forestry Commission, ADT and CSX Corp.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit will be taking children's fingerprints as part of the Indent-A-Kid program.

"We just encourage people to come up there," Owens said.