By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
It was a race against the clock for Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody: more than a dozen neighborhoods hosting National Night Out events and his mission was to visit them all within a three-hour time period.
By 8 p.m., Carmody admitted as he left the Cross Creek Green Condos, where they honored him for being named the top Michigan Police Chief by the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs, he probably would not make it to them all.
For Carmody and many officials from both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, the day started off at the annual Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out. Starting at 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Consumers Energy had two of its large trucks with extended buckets 75 feet above U.S. 131 to help draw attention to the national event designed to encourage residents to get out and meet their neighbors.
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll were part of a group of governmental leaders and law enforcement officials on had from six different communities in Kent County for the early morning event. Also in attendance was Carmody and Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen. A proclamation was read and Consumer Energy employees handed out LEDs to those driving by the Consumers Energy office at 4000 Clay Ave. SW in Wyoming.
“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for the annual event, but during every day of the year to keep our communities cross Michigan safe,” said Consumer Energy Vice President of Electric Operations Guy Packard. “This event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention and helps provide citizens the tools they need to stay safe at home and in their neighborhoods.”
For 34 years, communities across the nation participate in National Night Out. Created by the National Association of Town Watch, the annual event, which always takes place on the first Tuesday in August, is designed to build relations between neighbors and local law and safety personal as a way to help deter crime.
“National Night Out is a way to get everybody together,” said Kentwood Police Sgt. James Connell, who was at the Kentwood community-wide event at Woodland Mall. “It’s a way to get neighbors out of their houses and talk with their neighbors. A lot of people don’t know their neighbors anymore as we’ve gotten kind of closed off.”
Many of the activities were in the evening including the City of Wyoming’s last Concert in the Park series at Lamar Park which featured a variety of activities and the country band Union Guns.
For more about National Night Out, make sure to check out WKTV Channel 26 for a special report on the event.
K.D. Norris contributed to this story.
