National Night out against Crime at Jackson County Fairgrounds
Tonight, the 19th Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with Jackson County law enforcement agencies, joined communities nationwide in celebrating National Night out against Crime.
Jackson County citizens of all ages spent Tuesday evening getting to know the law enforcement officers in their community while enjoying fun activities like a donut-eating contest and a dunk tank as a part of the campaign National Night out against Crime.
The event also served as an opportunity for members of the community to meet and chat with the individuals behind the badges. Pascagoula Police Deputy Chief Joe Don Cunningham said, “When you know a someone, especially a police office, you’re more apt to open up to that person and talk to them, tell them what the problems are, ask questions, ask what they can do for you. And also tell the officers that we have a problem here, we have a problem there and therefore we, the police department, can address it.”
The first Tuesday of August of every year, thousands of communities across the nation participate in National Night Out in an effort to strengthen and promote police-community partnerships. Sheriff Mike Ezell said, “When we do have issues that come they know that we’re available to talk and this makes it a little more easier and people see us and come up and ask us stuff. It just kinda helps the whole outlook on things.”
While National Night out against Crime is only one day of the year, local law enforcement made it clear that communicating with their community is an every day priority. “We have a good relationship with the people that live in the city. We want to keep that relationship. We want the people to know that we’re out there and we work for them. We are their police department.”
“I’ve been a part of my community my whole life and that’s the way I was raised. That’s the way I’ve always policed, being out here with the people. People got to know their law enforcement officers. And it’s just like when I was a young patrolman, I was always out talking to folks and I’ll continue to do that as long as I’m sheriff.”
District Attorney Angels Myers McIlrath, who spearheaded the event, hopes to do it again next year and host nights out in George and Green counties as well.
