National Night Out Against Crime Events Ready to Roll at 3 Sites in 8th District

Want to join your neighbors in a public show of strength against crime? Take part in the National Night Out Against Crime, which is set for Tuesday, August 4.

There will be three observances in the Eighth District:

Three clergymen at the 2012 event in Clearing.

** a district-wide one starting at 6:00 p.m. at West Lawn Park, and

** one for residents of CPD Beat 811 (Garfield Ridge, west of Central), featuring a citizen motorcade that will roll away from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and run through the streets of 811. If you want to be a part of it, bring your vehicle to the church at 5:30 and line up behind the fire truck. Everyone else in Beat 811 is invited to stand of their front porches and wave in support of efforts to fight crime.

** one for the Clearing neighborhood at Hale School and Park (with a prayer vigil starting at 6:30 p.m. and a neighborhood motorcade starting at 7:00 p.m.)

The event in Clearing is sponsored by the Clearing Night Force neighborhood watch group. The prayer vigil will take

place at 62nd and Melvina, at a memorial to two local girls killed in a gang-related shooting in 1995.

After the motorcade in Clearing, the CNF will serve refreshments in the Hale Park field house.

Clearing residents unable to participate directly are asked by the CNF to "turn on the porch lights and join their neighbors outside to talk about their block and introduce themselves to a new neighbor."

The district-wide observance at West Lawn Park is one of the most popular in the city. Each year, hundreds of men, women and children take part.

The event typically starts with a short march around the park, 65th

The event at West Lawn Park is popular.

and Keeler, with senior citizens and others with mobility limitations riding in an antique fire truck.

Several elected officials and other community leaders are expected to be on hand to rally the crowd against crime and help build camaraderie among neighbors.

Neighbors across the district are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of good fellowship.

For more information on the district-wide observance at West Lawn Park, call the CPD Eighth District CAPS Office at (312) 747-8724. 

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