Celebrate National Night Out THE BIRTH OF THE NO. 1 CANINE COP PARTICIPANTS

by annette jones

Tonight's National Night Out will be the most widespread in Stafford since the traditional safety and crime prevention event began 25 years ago. This year's theme is "Communities committed to safety."

Twenty-one Stafford communities will mark the annual event--with four newcomers this year. The night promises to be a busy one for deputy and fire and rescue squad units visiting neighborhoods to discuss fire and crime prevention. It will also be an eventful night for McGruff the Crime Dog, who will be at most events in full costume to give tips on, as his motto says, how to "take a bite out of crime."

National Night Out is sponsored nationwide by the National Association of Town Watch and is co-sponsored locally by the Stafford Sheriff's Office. It suggests that residents lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening with neighbors.

Community events usually include visits and talks by deputy and firefighting personnel, health tests, emergency demonstrations, as well as hot dogs and other refreshments.

The largest program is expected to be at the Stafford Marketplace, just off Interstate 95 at Garrisonville Road. According to chief organizer Trisha Copeland, local businesses will be coordinating with the Aquia Harbour Volunteer Rescue Squad in the Target parking lot. The 6 to 9 p.m. program will include a display of Stafford County fire trucks, the Sheriff's office command vehicle and the LifeEvac helicopter from the Stafford Regional Airport. There also will be exhibits and games and prizes for children.

Leeland Station, one of the newcomers to National Night Out celebrations in Stafford, will hold a 6:30 to 9 p.m. block party, according to its chairman Brian Christmas, which includes advice from emergency services organizations, live entertainment and safety demonstrations.

Cannon Ridge, in its 7 to 9 p.m. program, is partnering with the White Oak Rescue Squad. Community president Bob Greene said deputy and rescue officials will be teaching child ID procedures, provide blood-pressure testing, and discuss home security tips.

The Falls Run Community will highlight its evening's events with a self-defense class taught by Deputy Earl Coffey. Neighborhood Watch director Bill Arnst said the 6 to 8 p.m. program will include a briefing from the local Berea Fire and Rescue Station on its work following last May's tornado strike in the area. There also will be a demonstration of the new National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios that warn of pending emergencies and that are being offered for sale to residents.

Last year, according to Sheriff Charles Jett, Stafford ranked 24th in the nation for Neighborhood Watch activity in areas of its size and population. Jett expressed the hope that Stafford's expanded activities this year will put it among the top five in its category. More than 11,000 groups participate in National Night Out.

Hugh Muir: 540/735-1975
Email: hmuir@freelancestar.com

If you Google "McGruff the Crime Dog" you will find that he predates the Neighborhood Night Out and that he could have wound up being called the "Keystone Kop Dog." His image was created for the National Crime Prevention Council to help U.S. law enforcement officers build crime awareness among children.

McGruff made his debut in July 1980 but didn't get his name for two years, when a nationwide contest was held. Among the suggestions were,"J. Edgar Dog," "Sarg-Dog," and "Keystone Kop Dog." The winning name, "McGruff the Crime Dog," was submitted by a New Orleans police officer, John Isbell.

In 1987, a recognition survey among the American public said 99 percent of children, 96 percent of teens and 90 percent of adults recognized McGruff, as well as his slogan, "Take a Bite Out of Crime."

--Hugh Muir

Stafford's Night Out communities (* indicates for the first time):

Austin Ridge, *Aventine at Courthouse Square Apartments, Brookstone, Cannon Ridge, Clearview Heights, Falls Run, Foxwood Village, Garrison Woods, Hampton Oaks, Harwill Acres, *Hunters Pond, *Leeland Station, Mount Olive, *Poplar Hills, Potomac Hills, Stafford Marketplace, Staffordboro Townhouses, Stratford Place, Stoneridge, Widewater Village, and Woodlawn.

Read more stories about Stafford
Date published: 8/5/2008

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