Planned turnout huge for National Night Out events

More than 150 communities have activities scheduled

Friday, Aug. 1, 2008

‘‘It’s a going away party for crime,” said Connie Gray, community organizer for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 152 communities have registered for the National Night Out and will be hosting ice cream socials, flashlight walks, picnics and pool parties across the county, according to Gray. Some events even feature moon bounces. ‘‘All of those communities will be outside,” she said. But the celebration doesn’t have to be so extravagant, and residents can participate by simply turning their porch lights on, Gray said.

Sheriff’s officers will be visiting as many of the registered neighborhoods as possible to meet residents.

‘‘I think it really shows the positive relationship between the sheriff’s office and the community. [National Night Out] is a way to celebrate that,” said Kristen Timko, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.

The celebration is a great way for people to get to know police, but it also allows them to make new friends, according to Gray.

‘‘It’s a great way for neighbors to meet neighbors,” she said. ‘‘Then, they can keep an eye on each other’s homes.”

Gray said she has noticed increased support this year from local businesses. Over 70 are celebrating the National Night Out by donating money and food, or simply by displaying special messages.

The Charles County commissioners and Sheriff Rex W. Coffey (D) will be kicking off the event with a 5 p.m. ceremony at the White Plains Moose Lodge, said Timko.

She said after the ceremony, Coffey will head out to visit Charles County neighborhoods for the rest of the evening, but said he hasn’t yet mapped out his final route, according to Timko.

For more questions about Charles County’s National Night Out, contact Gray at 301-932-3080. Neighborhoods can still register, but Gray said an officer might not be able to visit those locations.

The following sites will participate in National Night Out:

La Plata Manor Apartments at Hickory Lane 5-7 p.m.; AgricopiaÊ6-8 p.m.; Arundel Hills at Severn Drive 7-9 p.m.; Washington Square at the community centerÊ6:30-8:30 p.m.; Kent Avenue at Department of Social Services 6-8 p.m.; Charles County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at La Plata Road 7-8 p.m.; Hickory Ridge at Quince Court 5:30-8 p.m.; Whisper Creek on Bowling Drive 6-8 p.m.; Newtown Village on Bethany Lane 6-8 p.m.; Sparrow CourtÊ6-9 p.m.; Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department at the firehouse 6-9 p.m.; Charleston Terrace on Charleston Court 6-8 p.m.; La Plata Grande Apartments at Piscataway Court 6-9 p.m.; Carroll La Plata Village at Piscataway Court 6-8 p.m.;

Quailwood at Route 6 and Quailwood Parkway 6-8 p.m.; Pomfret Estates at Preston Lane 6 p.m.-dark; Tarrington CreekÊat Creek Court 6-8 p.m.; Ford HeightsÊat Ford Drive 6-8:30 p.m.; Highgrove at Highgrove and Cheppstow 6 p.m.-dark; KingsviewÊat the park on Kingsview Drive 6-8:30 p.m.; Strawberry Hills at the park on Strawberry Drive 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Town of IndianÊHead at Village Green Park 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Port Tobacco River at the Port Tobacco Tiki Bar and Grill on Shirley Boulevard 6-8 p.m.; Sutton AcresÊat Lyndelle Drive 7-8:30 p.m.; Nanjemoy Community Center 6-8 p.m.; Smitty’s Mobile Home Park at Smitty’s Circle 7-9:30 p.m.; Halley Estates at Hickory Court 5 p.m.-dark; Green Haven Run on Billingsley Road 7-8:30 p.m.; Teagues Point at Maxwell Drive park 6-8 p.m.; Carriage Crossing and Route 381 6-9 p.m.; Serenity WoodsÊat Serenity Drive 6-8 p.m.; Independence VillageÊat Newman Drive 6-9 p.m.; Cobb Island at Old Fisherman’s Field 6-9 p.m.; Pineview and Village Green Apartments 5-9 p.m.; Waldorf Astor ApartmentsÊ6-8 p.m.; Village Green Apartments 5-6 p.m.; Northgate at Northgate Place 6-8 p.m.

White Oak Village at Sub Station Road 6-8:30 p.m.; The Meadows at White Oak Town Homes 6-8:30 p.m.; Bannister CircleÊat the recreation center on Armes Way 5:30-8:30 p.m.; WakefieldÊat Nantucket Drive 6-8 p.m.; Sheffield 6-9 p.m.; Springhaven Woods at Whistling Court 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Cedar Brook at Shell Cove Court 6-8:30 p.m.; AvalonÊat the pavilion on West Avalon 7-9 p.m.

Hampshire at the lake off Grizzly Bear Place 6-10 p.m.; Dorchester at the pool on Dorchester Circle 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Lancaster at the pool on Lancaster Circle 6-9 p.m.; Holly Station Townhomes at the pool on Hornbeam Court 6-8 p.m.; Tanglewood Townhomes 7-9 p.m.; Fox Run TownhomesÊat the tennis courts 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Huntington at the pool on Huntington Circle 6-9 p.m.