FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2018
Wolf Administration Participates in National Night Out
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Board of Probation and Parole, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will participate in National Night Out events throughout the commonwealth this evening.
The Department of Corrections and Board of Probation and Parole have supplied children’s coloring books, stickers and temporary tattoos and over 75 employees will staff more than 65 locations statewide.
“We are very excited to be a part of National Night Out,” said Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel. “It is so vitally important to build bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve and provide positive ties with the people in their communities.”
“Each year, the National Night Out event reinforces positive interactions and connections between members of law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve,” said Leo L. Dunn, chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. “National Night Out is especially important because it allows front line officers to engage with those most vulnerable – our children – and permits law enforcement to be approachable.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live, work and raise a family. National Night Out strives to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
Neighborhoods will host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more.
PEMA provided 40 National Night Out kits to county and municipal organizations for their events. The kits included emergency preparedness guides, brochures and children’s activity books.
“National Night Out is a great way for you to get to know your neighbors and the first responders in your community,” said PEMA Director Richard D. Flinn Jr. “It also provides a great chance for you to prepare for emergencies by talking with your neighbors and loved ones about how you can help each other out when an emergency happens.”
Hundreds of state troopers will also be participating in National Night Out events statewide, including one at the Governor’s Residence, 2035 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The state police mounted unit, K9, bomb squad and other specialized units will be providing demonstrations.
“We encourage community members to stop by their local National Night Out events to meet their community first responders and other neighbors,” said Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick, Acting Commissioner, the Pennsylvania State Police. “These events provide a great opportunity to strengthen relationships with the citizens we serve across Pennsylvania.“
MEDIA CONTACT: Maria A. Finn, Probation and Parole, 717-728-3533
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