Anti-crime Night Out promises fun and info aplenty

Along with communities across the country, Rochester will hold its crime-fighting and drug-prevention awareness National Night Out on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. in the Union Street Parking lot downtown.

According to a press release generated from Town Hall, National Night Out is “designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.”

“It’s all about highlighting the positives that are going on in the community,” said Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau last week.

This year’s event will feature more than 30 local organizations and businesses.  Attendees will have a chance to win one of two bicycles donated by Walmart by visiting at least 10 social service organization’s tables.

The evening will also showcase local youth talent including dancing performances from Studio 109, Sole City Dance and Corrine’s School of Dance as well as a musical performance by Dancing Madly Backwards.

The Rochester Police and community member Sandy Teti will have a working and service dog demonstration.

There will also be games for kids and families alike, including an opportunity to race some Rochester Police Officers on tricycles.

The Fire Department’s Smokehouse and several public safety vehicles will be on display.

Also, New Hampshire Liquor Commission will have their Fatal Choices educational program available for licensed drivers to see what it is really like to drive under the influence of alcohol. They will have an obstacle course set up for use with a golf cart. Participants will learn the dangers of driving impaired by wearing Fatal Vision goggles simulating blood alcohol levels of .06 to .20 while navigating the course.

In addition, this year we will be featuring a Community Unity project with funding from the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department and the office of OJJDP.  Local summer camps have worked on creating luminaries that represent what they wish for the Rochester community to be.

The luminaries will be on display at the event and a place to create your own luminary will be available the night of the event.  All the luminaries will be lighted by glow sticks to create an illuminated Rochester at the end of the night. 

End 68 Hours of Hunger will also be at the event this year and will be collecting non-perishable food or cash donations.  The 68 hours refers to the time period from Friday when young students leave school until Monday when they return for a school-supplied breakfast. 

This evening of food, fun and community is sponsored by Walmart and cohosted by the Rochester Police Department, Rochester School District, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Main Street, and Bridging the Gaps: The Rochester Community Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Prevention.  Additional support is given by the Rochester Kohl’s, Rochester Rotary Club, and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department.

For more information about the event, please contact Graham Griffin, Bridging the Gaps at 603.330.7160 or via e-mail at graham@bridgingthegapsnh.org.