Chief’s Column: National Night Out 2020 will not be held

QUESTION: I am a resident of Grafton and look forward to the annual National Night Out Block Party held each year around this time. I have not seen anything advertised about the event. Will there be a block party this year?

ANSWER: I have recently received several inquiries as to our National Night Out Block Party held annually on the first Tuesday of August. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the restrictions placed on crowd sizes, social distancing, food distribution, sanitizing frequently touched items, etc., it is with deep regret that I must announce we will not be hosting a block party this year.

Since 2005, the residents of Grafton have been invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Grafton Police Department, involves over 15,000 communities from all 50 states and U.S. territories.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is an extraordinary way to build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships. Neighbors meet neighbors and citizens and local law enforcement have the opportunity to enhance their relationships.

Thousands of residents have attended Grafton’s National Night Out Block Parties and I hope that this unfortunate interruption does not deter anyone from participating in the future. It is our sincere wish that we can bring back the National Night Out Block Party for 2021 in the anticipation of an even bigger and better event for all.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police