By DANYEL VanREENEN
The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Martinsburg Police Department is sponsoring a community partnership event at War Memorial Park on Tuesday, and cities across the United States will be holding similar events to encourage good relationships between police and citizens.
The Martinsburg Police Department’s second annual National Night Out Against Crime is meant to bring the Martinsburg-Berkeley County community together while encouraging families and residents to have a good time.
The National Night Out campaign is a country wide event 34 years in the making. According to the national night out website, the annual event is intended to promote police and community partnerships to make cities and communities safer and better places.
“National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” National Night Out said on their website. “Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
Community-police relations is something Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards has encouraged during his time at the department. The Martinsburg Initiative is a partnership developed by the department to battle opioid addiction, and the collaborative effort partners with schools, communities, families and other law enforcement agencies.
The National Night Out Against Crime is another community partnership effort, and attendees will free miniature golf from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., music and food and refreshments. The event will also give youth an opportunity to learn about police and fire fighter service, and police cars, fire trucks and ambulance will be present. Important health and safety information will be available from local service organizations as well, according to an event page.
Swimming will not be available due to the condition of the pool.
See more from The Journal
