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Three area departments to hold event tonight that promotes community safety.
Wilkes-Barre Deputy Police Chief Donald Crane speaks to a crowd on Public Square participating in Wilkes-Barre City Neighborhood Crime Watch Coalition’s National Night Out celebration Sunday in Wilkes-Barre.
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
WILKES-BARRE – Several local police departments throughout Luzerne County will be participating in the National Night Out initiative this week, all in the name of community safety.
Nationally, the Night Out event has been held for 26 years and includes 15,000 communities across 50 states who participate in the event, which brings local police departments together with residents to deter criminal activity in municipalities.
Locally, police departments such as Plains Township’s have been holding the one-night-a-year event for several years, while others, such as Wilkes-Barre Township’s, have just begun the initiative.
“It gives a chance for the communities to mingle with police officers and get some information out to them and for them to give us information about things going on in their neighborhood that they’re concerned about,” said Lt. Carl Gembitski of the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department.
“This is our first year participating. Many years ago, back in the ’90s, we did Police Day at the Wyoming Valley Mall, which is a similar type of event,” Gembitski said. “So people can get familiar with police officers.”
Wilkes-Barre Township will be holding its first National Night Out tonight, with food, refreshments and activities for children.
Plains Township Police Chief James O’Malley said the township will be hold its annual National Night Out tonight at the Plains Township Ambulance Building, complete with a DJ, food and games.
“It’s a good chance for us to get together with the residents,” O’Malley said. “You know your neighborhood. You’re there. If something’s out of the norm, contact the police.”
Laflin Police Department, which also covers Yatesville, will hold its National Night Out tonight as well, and Chief Michael Flanagan said he feels it’s an opportunity for not only the community to get together, but also to form a relationship with law enforcement.
“Anything we can do to help build bridges with the community,” Flanagan said. “We had a great turnout last year, and we hope it’s going to be even bigger this year.”
Flanagan said officers, like those in Laflin, need the help of residents because of the small size of the town.
“We only ever have one or two guys on a shift. We want people to be comfortable with us and call us when there’s a problem,” Flanagan said.
Flanagan said at National Night Out he tells residents to keep their eyes on the neighborhood, and that usually a gut feeling that something isn’t right is usually trustworthy.
“We are here to respond,” Flanagan said. “Sometimes they feel like they are bothering us, say, if a guy down the street doesn’t look right. (Residents) can call us and we’re going to respond.”
O’Malley and Gembitski also tell their residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and to do commonsense things, such as locking doors and windows.
Kingston Municipal Police Department said that although it’s not participating in this year’s National Night Out, it is still telling residents to turn their porch lights on tonight in recognition of the event.
The Wilkes-Barre Police Department held its event Sunday night, with a large turnout on Public Square
Gembitski said the township’s turnout tonight will determine if the event is held next year.
But Flanagan said this is something he has wanted to do since he became chief two years ago, and he will continue to do so and to assist residents in other ways.
Flanagan said Laflin is starting a community notification program that alerts residents via e-mail or text message of emergencies such as road closures or weather alerts.
“The big thing for us is the interaction with the community,” Flanagan said. “Whether it’s a barking dog or a burglary, we should give (residents) the same level of service for every call.”
If you go
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Plains Township
– 6 to 10 tonight at the Plains Township Ambulance Building, Maffett Street. Free food and activities, as well as entertainment from a local DJ will be provided.
Wilkes-Barre Township – 5 to 9 tonight at Kennedy Park, South Walnut Street. Informational booths, child fingerprinting, games, prizes, food, refreshments and other entertainment will be provided.
Laflin Borough – 5 to 9 tonight at the Laflin Borough Building. Displays, tours, fingerprinting, food, drinks and live entertainment from the band Hat Trick will be provided.