(08/02/07) -  The 24th Annual National Night Out (NNO), a unique
crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), is
Tuesday, August 7, 2007. Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law
enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local
officials from more than 10,000 communities and all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian
cities and military bases worldwide. In all, more than 34 million people
participated in NNO 2006.
Akron participated last year with three neighborhood events and more than 500
residents. This year, five Akron neighborhoods are involved in an all-out effort to
curtail crime and drugs. It is our hope that the city will see more than 1,000 residents
come out to support the fight against crime.
This year's main focus is on youth and youth crimes. The City of Akron, along
with area organizations, churches and the Akron Police Department hope that this year's
campaign will forge future partnerships that will help make our city a safer place for all
residents.
 Robert L. Woodson, Sr., the founder and president of the Center for Neighborhood
Enterprise is the featured speaker at one of Akron's citywide events on August 7. He
will speak on the concept of the Violence Free Zone for neighborhoods beginning at 11 a.m.
at Zion Apostolic Church, 10 West Tallmadge Avenue.
Woodson has received the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship and
is author of hundreds of articles and several books. His violence-free-zone
principals are in use in Washington D.C.'s East Capitol section, Dallas, Los Angeles,
Hartford and Indianapolis. Learn more at www.cneonline.org.
Here's the day's schedule of events for National Night Out:
| East Akron |
| Organizations |
East Akron Community House |
| Contact |
LaShon Wilson (330) 773-6838 |
| Event location |
Middlebury Shopping Plaza, E.
Exchange & Arlington Streets |
| Activities |
Speakers & Information on
Crime Prevention |
|
Activities for Children, DJ and
Music |
|
Church Choirs |
| Time |
5 - 8PM |
|
|
West Akron |
| Organizations |
Mountain of the Lord Fellowship |
| Contact |
Rev. Eugene Norris (330) 873-9793 |
| Activities |
Information booths hosted by area
organizations, free food and refreshment |
 |
|
Greetings from mayor and local politicians |
|
Guest speaker former rapper, Kurtis Blow
(hits include:" The Breaks" and "If I Ruled the World") |
| Event Location |
1477 Copley Road |
| Time |
6 - 9PM |
North Akron |
| Organization |
North Hill Community House |
| Contact |
Gary & Patricia Wyatt (330)
283-7653 |
| Event location |
Corner of N. Howard & W.
Tallmadge (across from Zion Apostolic Church) |
| Activities |
Morning Roundtable featuring
Robert L. Woodson, Author and Founder & President of The National Center for
Neighborhood Enterprise and creator of the "Violence Free Zone" concept |
| Evening |
Information on health &
wellness, legal aide, education and social and community services |
|
Fun & Games for Children,
Free haircuts, free food and entertainment from local artists |
|
Mr. Woodson is also featured
speaker for the evening event |
| Time |
5 - 8PM |
South Akron |
| Organization |
Truly Reaching You Ministries,
South Akron Block Watch & Church of God MPGT |
| Contact |
Perry Clark (330) 351-0854 |
| Event location |
Church of God MPGT, 200 Cole
Avenue |
| Activities |
Crime Watch March @ 5PM,
speakers, free school supplies for kids (while they last), face painting, free food &
refreshments |
| Time |
5 - 8PM |
Summit Lake Area |
| Organizations |
Open M, South Street Ministries
& Summit Lake Community Center |
| Contact |
Dottie Achmoody (330) 434-1001 |
| Event location |
941 Princeton Street (South &
Princeton Streets) |
| Activities |
Block Walk through Summit Lake
Community, speakers, music, food, face painting for the kids, & more |
| Time |
6 - 8PM |
|
|
End |
