As seen in the Coaster
City, Neptune Host National Nights Out
By ANDREW CANGIANO
Temperatures of nearly 100 degrees did not stop Asbury Park and Neptune residents from attending National Night Out events which took place in their neighborhoods.
The National Night Out, which is in its 23rd year, is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, as well as strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
Zakiyyah Mays, 13, Fatimah Foster, 13, and Javonna Robinson, 13, pose with Sesame Street character Elmo at the National Night Out on West Lake Avenue in Neptune.
Neptune’s version of the event, which took place on West Lake Avenue, was sponsored by the Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC) and featured refreshments, attractions and crafts, as well as information tables for residents about local organizations and the planned West Lake Avenue redevelopment.
“This is our way of trying to bring people back to West Lake Avenue,” said MURC President Gail Oliver.
“We’re meeting people. This is a connector,” she said. “We need more connectors within the community.”
Residents and organization members said they attended the event for a number of different reasons.
Joe Kienzlen, a member of the Shore Optimist Club, said he came to support the young people and to promote the Optimist Club.
“We’re here to support the youth of the community,” he said. “I think it’s all about community participation in a number of activities.”
Zakkiyah Mays, 13, said she attended the event to support her church, Greater Emmanuel Temple.
“To have fun and hang with friends,” said 13-year-old Javonna Robinson. “To keep people out of trouble.”
“The more people are fighting for it [anti-crime], the less there will be,” said Ernest Jones, 13.
Other organizations represented at Neptune’s National Night Out were: New Jersey Orators, Monmouth County SPCA, Commerce Bank, Prevention First, AIM Mail Center, and others.
Asbury Park’s National Night Out took place at the West Side Community Center (WSCC) on DeWitt Avenue. Guest speakers included Mayor Kevin Sanders and city councilmen James Keady and Ed Johnson.
The event marked the kickoff of a Neighborhood Watch in southwest Asbury Park that will be comprised of residents and pastors working with the city’s police department.
“Parents and youth have to be safe, and more importantly, be safe in their neighborhood,” Susan Maynard, the WSCC’s executive director, said in a press release. “We need to get guns off the street and create and enforce stricter gun legislation,” she added.
In all, over 34 million people across the country attended National Night Out events in 2005.
To learn more about the event visit www.nationalnightout.org.
