The West Plains Police Department participated in the 36th annual National Night Out for the first time on August 6. This nationwide, annual event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and was co-sponsored by the local department.
The event was designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
On August 6 there were six designated locations of organized events and a seventh was found later in the evening. Neighborhoods were asked to contact the department to let them know of their organized events so officers could stop by during the evening.
“I was intrigued by the interest and the success of the evening for the first time. I would also like to thank the West Plains Fire Department for partnering with us and helping us interact with the public,” Police Chief Stephen Monticelli stated.
Officers and firefighters visited NHC HealthCare and played horseshoes with residents while enjoying ice cream, and other areas had hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages to share amongst friends.
“The West Plains Police Department wants to continue to build stronger partnerships with our Community to improve the quality of life for our citizens because we cannot do it alone,” Monticelli said.
West Plains will participate in next year’s event, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
