LPD leads National Night Out visits

“National Night Out is an important event each summer for our department and community,” LPD Police Chief David Hofmann said. He said this is the 22^nd consecutive year the city has partnered with neighborhoods to build strong relationships, helping to prevent crime. LFD Chief Dino Batalis said he looks forward to the annual visits to neighborhoods and organizations throughout Lawrence and talking with citizens about their neighborhoods.

Public safety officers and officials, including Mayor Steve Collier, City Clerk Kathy Walton, Hofmann, Batalis, Deputy Mayor Jason Fenwick, Corporation Council David Johnson, DPW Director of Streets Dave Lotts and representatives from the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and the Beacon of Hope, visited 15 locations throughout Lawrence Tuesday evening during National Night Out events.

"In Lawrence, we still observe National Night Out the way it was intended, in our neighborhoods," said Lawrence Police Deputy Chief Curtis Bigsbee. Neighborhood Crime Watch and Homeowners Associations throughout Lawrence hosted events from 5:30 pm-10:00 pm. Bigsbee said the engagement helps build relationships and reduce crime.

Two teams of public safety officials visited neigborhood sites. "We enjoy incredible support for our crime watch efforts across Lawrence," said Bigsbee. "The more eyes and ears seeing something and saying something, the better,"  he said, "National Night Out is an opportunity for us to celebrate those efforts, to connect neighbors with their public servants, while meeting new friends and neighbors along the way.”

Mayor Collier kicked the evening off at the Government Center, when he presented his 2017 Proclamation. Neighborhoods included in visits this year were: 52^nd Street, Admirals Cove, Benjamin Court Apartments, Boston Commons, Echo Subdivision, Eagle Pines, Highlands at Geist, Historic Standish Estates, Hunt Club Apartments, Kensington Farms, River Oaks, Villas @ Winding Ridge, Trilobi Hills, and Watson Farms.