Residents and representatives from law enforcement and public safety programs joined together in a friendly neighborhood gathering to talk about crime prevention and awareness.
[Havre de Grace, MD] August 13, 2015— The Havre de Grace Police Department and the Havre de Grace Housing Authority (HDGHA) joined forces on August 4 to participate in National Night Out — America’s Night Out Against Crime. The event was held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the HDGHA neighborhood Somerset Manor, a multi-family public housing community.
Many residents of the community, along with Chief Walter of the Havre de Grace Police Department and other officers, turned out for the event to celebrate the safety of the community, enjoy light refreshments and participate in a strategic planning session to further community security.
National Night Out is part of a national community building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals to let them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Pfc. Jeff Gilpin of the Havre de Grace Police Department says, “Partnering with the Havre de Grace Housing Authority for National Night Out benefits individual residents and the community as a whole by building a positive relationship between residents and law enforcement. That relationship ensures information is consistently and reliably exchanged between the parties so that many problems can be prevented and any issues that do arise can be addressed more rapidly.” He adds, “Any geographic area that promotes and fosters a safe environment helps the entire area prosper, and proves that stigmas typically associated with public housing are not always accurate. National Night Out unites the community and proves we all share the same goals of wanting a safe and peaceful place to live.”
For more information about HDGHA visit the community’s Facebook page.
About HDGHA
HDGHA and its Somerset Manor community was established in the 1970’s and is the only public housing facility in Harford County. It is governed by a Board of Commissioners and managed by a small staff. The mission of the organization is to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities for moderate to low income individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency, empowerment and neighborhood revitalization. HDGHA offers a range of programs to achieve this goal, including the Self- Sufficiency Program (FSS), Homeownership Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and more.
About National Night Out (https://natw.org/about)
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. During the event, neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.
